Facilitators and challenges to exclusive breastfeeding in Belagavi District, Karnataka, India.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

A primary objective of this study was to identify specific facilitators and challenges around exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in our community in India, from the perspective of breastfeeding mothers and their support networks.

Methods

We conducted eight focus groups incorporating 75 women and their support networks in the Belagavi District, Karnataka State, India. We used a directed content analysis to guide the analysis.

Results

The specific facilitator that emerged as a theme, broad support for and knowledge about breastfeeding on the individual, family and community levels, was a seeming contraction to the identified specific challenge, the paradox of the common practice of supplemental feeds.

Conclusions

Despite voicing strong support for and knowle

SUBMITTER: Charantimath U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7197767 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature