ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess nursing staff knowledge; attitudes and practices regarding the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI); to assess the knowledge of maternity obstetric unit (MOU) managers regarding BFHI principles and their attitude towards BFHI implementation; and to describe the barriers and constraints to the implementation of BFHI principles. Study design: Cross-sectional descriptive survey. Setting: The study was done in eight non-BFHI-accredited primary care maternity obstetric units in Cape Town.Subjects: The subjects were eight MOU managers and a random sample of 45 nursing staff.Outcomes measures: Knowledge; attitude and practices regarding BFHI and barriers to BFHI implementation were assessed by an intervieweradministered questionnaire.Results: The study emonstrated acceptable awareness and knowledge of the recommended BFHI principles. A total of 56.6of the staff could define rooming-in; 47.2could define the components of the BFHI; and 52.8could name three baby-friendly care practices and routines. Eighty-nine per cent of the nursing staff were able to demonstrate correct positioning of the baby for breastfeeding; and 91.1could demonstrate the correct attachment of the baby to the breast. Only 8.9of the nursing staff were able to adequately demonstrate the correct hand milk-expressing technique; 35.6knew about the correct management of painful nipples and 22.2knew how to manage engorgement.Only 40could adequately describe the safe preparation of infant formula. The enrolled nursing assistants (ENA) were significantly less knowledgeable than the other cadres of nurses. The majority of the nurses had a positive attitude toward BFHI principles and practices
Subject(s)
Attitude , Breast Feeding , Nursing StaffABSTRACT
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess nursing staff knowledge; attitudes and practices regarding the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI); to assess the knowledge of maternity obstetric unit (MOU) managers regarding BFHI principles and their attitude towards BFHI implementation; and to describe the barriers and constraints to the implementation of BFHI principles. Study design: Cross-sectional descriptive survey. Setting: The study was done in eight non-BFHI-accredited primary care maternity obstetric units in Cape Town.Subjects: The subjects were eight MOU managers and a random sample of 45 nursing staff.Outcomes measures: Knowledge; attitude and practices regarding BFHI and barriers to BFHI implementation were assessed by an intervieweradministered questionnaire.Results: The study emonstrated acceptable awareness and knowledge of the recommended BFHI principles. A total of 56.6of the staff could define rooming-in; 47.2could define the components of the BFHI; and 52.8could name three baby-friendly care practices and routines. Eighty-nine per cent of the nursing staff were able to demonstrate correct positioning of the baby for breastfeeding; and 91.1could demonstrate the correct attachment of the baby to the breast. Only 8.9of the nursing staff were able to adequately demonstrate the correct hand milk-expressing technique; 35.6knew about the correct management of painful nipples and 22.2knew how to manage engorgement.Only 40could adequately describe the safe preparation of infant formula. The enrolled nursing assistants (ENA) were significantly less knowledgeable than the other cadres of nurses. The majority of the nurses had a positive attitude toward BFHI principles and practices
Subject(s)
Attitude , Breast Feeding , Nursing StaffABSTRACT
Mother-to-child transmission is a continuing source of new HIV infections in South Africa. The paper posits that insight into the socio-cultural; behavioural; environmental and economic factors that sustain the HIV epidemic is as important as understanding the biological causes of the disease when planning and implementing interventions to prevent and reduce perinatal transmission. Furthermore; understanding the pregnancy intentions of individuals in areas of endemic HIV/AIDS is vital for providing the best care for individuals who are HIV-positive. This paper suggests a model for types of support and interventions that are relative to the intention of HIV-positive women or couples to become pregnant. Included among these are interventions for prevention of unwanted pregnancy; prevention of transmission of HIV; protection of the infant; and protection of the mother