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https://hdl.handle.net/2440/63633
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Type: | Journal article |
Title: | An examination of maternity staff attitudes towards implementing Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) accreditation in Australia |
Author: | Walsh, A. Pincombe, J. Henderson, A. |
Citation: | Maternal and Child Health Journal, 2011; 15(5):597-609 |
Publisher: | Springer New York LLC |
Issue Date: | 2011 |
ISSN: | 1092-7875 1573-6628 |
Statement of Responsibility: | Ava Deborah Walsh, Jan Pincombe and Ann Henderson |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND: The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) influences health care practices and increases the initiation and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Consistent definitions enable the accurate monitoring of breastfeeding rates and behaviour. This information refines policy and helps reach national breastfeeding targets. Only 21% (66/317) of Australian hospitals are BFHI accredited. Objective To examine the factors perceived to promote or hinder BFHI accreditation. METHOD: Focus group interviews explored opinions of 31 participants, in differing roles and levels of employment, across midwifery, medical, nursing and ancillary staff at six South Australian maternity hospitals. RESULTS: The results suggest that staffs’ understanding and personal views are often discordant with BFHI aims. Perceived difficulties include the accreditation process, hospital dynamics, and the Ten Steps implementation plus a bottle feeding culture and maternal employment that impact upon continued breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: Upper management support, specific funding, a dedicated co-ordinator with “area leaders”, development of a specific breastfeeding policy incorporating various disciplines and staff, containing detailed protocols that comply with the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and subsequent World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions, are all required. Staff and mothers require multiple modes of education to understand the BFHI, including sponsorship for training of lactation consultants. Full implementation of BFHI across Australia will assist the development of nationally accepted breastfeeding definitions, improve monitoring and evaluation of rates and practices, and improve breastfeeding outcomes. |
Keywords: | Humans Focus Groups Program Evaluation Attitude of Health Personnel Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Breast Feeding Pregnancy Time Factors Organizational Policy Health Policy Infant Welfare Clinical Competence Social Marketing Tape Recording Infant Health Promotion Maternal Health Services Accreditation Program Development Australia Female Male |
Description: | Published online: 23 June 2010 |
Rights: | © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s10995-010-0628-1 |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0628-1 |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest 5 Nursing publications |
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