Assessing Compliance: Violations of WHO Code in Breast Milk Substitute Marketing, Ecuador.

ABSTRACT: Breast milk substitute (BMS) marketing significantly influences global infant feeding practices. Ecuador, like many countries, seeks to regulate these promotions under the WHO's International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes. This cross-sectional analysis assessed BMS marketing compliance with WHO's Code in Ecuador. Surveys were conducted with mothers (n = 330) and healthcare professionals (n = 66), complemented by observations at health facilities (n = 33) and retail outlets (n = 44). Media monitoring and product labelling evaluations were also conducted. The study revealed widespread exposure to BMS marketing outside health facilities (91.21% of mothers). Promotional activities targeted healthcare professionals, with significant interactions involving free supplies (26.09%) a

SUBMITTER: Tello B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11956041 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature