Strengthening counseling on barriers to exclusive breastfeeding through use of job aids in Nampula, Mozambique.

INTRODUCTION: While the Government of Mozambique has galvanized action around exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) as a national priority, only 43% of Mozambican children under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. In the absence of skilled lactation support, challenges mothers experience with breastfeeding may inhibit initiation, exclusivity and duration. There is insufficient evidence on how to strengthen health providers' competencies to address breastfeeding challenges in low- and middle-income countries. The objectives of this study were to 1) assess EBF challenges, from the perspectives of health providers and mothers; 2) ascertain the quality of health provider counseling to address EBF challenges; and 3) gain an understanding of the usefulness of job aids to improve counseling within routine health contact points in Nampula, Mozambique. METHODS: This implementation science study was conducted in Meconta and Mogovolas districts, Nampula province, Mozambique from July-November 2018. In Phase 1, 46 in-depth interviews with mothers and providers, and 11 observations of counseling sessions were conducted. In Phase 2, health providers were trained to use three job aids (i.e., facility, community or maternity contacts) to identify and address EBF problems during routine health services. In Phase 3, 30 in-depth interviews with mothers and providers were conducted to assess the experience with job aid use. In both Phase 1 and 3, we conducted a thematic analysis using a grounded theory approach involving a step-wise coding process. RESULTS: Poor latch and positioning, perceived insufficient breastmilk and breast engorgement emerged as barriers to EBF. Providers often lacked the knowledge, skillset, and self-efficacy to manage EBF problems, with little counseling provided at community or facility levels. Following job aid rollout, providers reported improved assessment of breastfeeding technique, and increased self-efficacy and motivation to identify and resolve EBF problems. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of job aids, with clear lactation management guidance, into maternal and child health training curricula and supportive supervision is critical to building providers' skillsets and competencies to provide quality lactation counseling and support.

Low-Income Texas Women's Experiences Accessing Their Desired Contraceptive Method at the First Postpartum Visit.

CONTEXT: Early access to contraception may increase postpartum contraceptive use. However, little is known about women's experiences receiving their desired method at the first postpartum visit or how access is associated with use. METHODS: In a 2014-2016 prospective cohort study of low-income Texas women, data were collected from 685 individuals who desired a reversible contraceptive and discussed contraception with a provider at their first postpartum visit, usually within six weeks of birth. Women's experiences were captured using open- and closed-ended survey questions. Thematic and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to examine contraceptive access and barriers, and method use at three months postpartum. RESULTS: Twenty-three percent of women received their desired method at the first postpartum visit; 11% a prescription for their desired pill, patch or ring; 8% a method (or prescription) other than that desired; and 58% no method. Among women who did not receive their desired method, 44% reported clinic-level barriers (e.g., method unavailability or no same-day provision), 26% provider-level barriers (e.g., inaccurate contraceptive counseling) and 23% cost barriers. Women who used private practices were more likely than those who used public clinics to report availability and cost barriers (odds ratios, 6.4 and 2.7, respectively). Forty-one percent of women who did not receive their desired method, compared with 86% of those who did, were using that method at three months postpartum. CONCLUSION: Eliminating the various barriers that postpartum women face may improve their access to contraceptives. Further research is needed to improve the understanding of clinic- and provider-level barriers.