Exclusive breastfeeding policy, practice and influences in South Africa, 1980 to 2018: A mixed-methods systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In 2011, South Africa committed to promoting exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for six months for all mothers, regardless of HIV status, in line with World Health Organization recommendations. This was a marked shift from earlier policies, and with it, average EBF rates increased from less than 10% in 2011 to 32% by 2016.

Objectives

The aim of this mixed-methods systematic review was to describe EBF practices in South Africa and their multi-level influences over four policy periods.

Methods

We applied PRISMA guidelines according to a published protocol (Prospero: CRD42014010512). We searched seven databases [Africa-Wide, PubMed, Popline, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Global Health, and The Cochrane Library] and conducted hand searches for eligible articles (all study desi

SUBMITTER: Nieuwoudt SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6799928 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature