Awareness and reported violations of the WHO International Code and Pakistan's national breastfeeding legislation; a descriptive cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

National legislation in Pakistan adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes in 2002 to restrict the promotion of infant formula feeding. Our objectives were to assess health professionals' awareness of this law in urban government hospitals and describe their reports of violations, including receiving free samples, gifts and sponsorship.

Methods

Structured interviews were conducted with health staff between July and August 2006 at 12 urban government hospitals in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar including paediatricians, obstetricians, nurses, resident doctors, midwives and lady health visitors (LHVs).

Results

Of the 427 health workers interviewed, the majority were not aware of the national breastfeeding law (70.5%; n = 301) or

SUBMITTER: Salasibew M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2577086 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature