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Uptake and implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). A review of the literature
Abstract

Uptake and implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). A review of the literature

Anahita Esbati, Margaret Barnes, Jane A Taylor and Amanda J Henderson
5th International Conference of Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nuture Abstracts and Posters Booklet, pp.67-68
International Conference of Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Nuture: Relational, Biocultural and Spatial Perspectives, 5th (Sydney, Australia, 05-Nov-2014–07-Nov-2014)
2014
url
http://www.uws.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/768483/2014_Conference_Abstracts_and_Posters_Booklet.pdfView
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Abstract

Public Health and Health Services Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)
Background: Breastfeeding is an important public health issue with extensive evidence supporting the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding [1-8]. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is an initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to improve breastfeeding practices to promote, support and maintain breastfeeding [9]. The BFHI has two parts: 1) the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which highlight practices that support the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding; and 2) the WHO Code for the Marketing of Breast milk substitutes, which sets the standard expected of health facilities in relation to the promotion of breast milk substitutes [10 & 11]. Method: A review of studies was undertaken in 2013 using a systematic process. The databases used were CINHAL, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, MIDIRS, PROQUEST, PUBMED, SCOPUS, WILEY, and Joanna Briggs Institute EBP Database. Key search terms included BFHI, Baby Friendly Hospital, implementation of BFHI, uptake of BFHI, BFHI and policies, and health professionals' perception of BFHI. Studies that focused on the implementation and uptake of the BFHI were included. Results: The majority of studies examined were related to the implementation of the Ten Steps rather than the uptake and implementation of the BFHI in its entirety. Cultural factors emerged from nine studies and two literature reviews [12-21]. Cultural factors can be placed in two main cultural sets, organizational, and individual. The majority of studies examining outcomes found an association between cultural themes at both organisational and individual levels on the uptake and implementation of the BFHI. Support theme emerged from seven studies and three literature reviews [46-54, 22-30, 18]. These studies and the literature review, which identified the impact of support on the uptake and implementation of the BFHI, mainly focus on providing resources and funds, and intra-organisational support such as training programs for health care staff. These studies suggested the impact of support within organisations, society, and families, on the uptake and implementation of the BFHI, and implementation of the Ten Steps. The provision of education for staff, mothers, and their families emerged as a key factor in 12 studies and one literature review [31-40, 18]. It was suggested that education is an influential factor in the uptake and implementation of the BFHI in addition to the implementation of the Ten Steps. This influence depends on the purpose and type of education and the audiences receiving it.

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