Exploring factors affecting early initiation of breastfeeding in Phalombe District Health facility, Malawi.
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Abstract
Introduction
Initiation of breastfeeding within one hour after birth is the recommended breastfeeding practice endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its benefits to the baby. Despite the many benefits of EIBF, its practice in Malawi is sub-optimal as 40% of newborns are not initiated on breastfeeding which indicates that there is a limited understanding of early initiation of breastfeeding. We conducted a study to explore factors that promote and disenable early initiation of breastfeeding among mothers in Phalombe District.
Methods
This was a descriptive qualitative study using in-depth interviews with mothers who delivered at Phalombe Health Centre. Fifteen participants were purposively selected and interviewed guided by a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The data was analyzed manually using Conventional Content Analysis, which led to the emergence of promoting and hindering factors to EIBF.
Findings
Factors that positively promoted EIBF are: EIBF experience from past deliveries, EIBF support from health workers and guardians received during delivery, mothers’ perceptions about colostrum. Factors that negatively affected EIBF are: inadequate prenatal preparation, routine hospital practices after delivery of the baby, twin delivery, and poor support from health workers in the labor ward. The study suggests that giving adequate information about EIBF during antenatal care, adequate staffing in martenity wards, and having breastfeeding champions in delivery rooms to support mothers to initiate breastfeeding immediately after delivery, and delaying routine hospital practices can improve the practice of EIBF.
Conclusion
The findings have shown information gaps among women in the childbearing group. The study suggests that providing education to mother on EIBF and continued support during the birthing period are critical intervention to promote EIBF.