Effectiveness of the baby-friendly community initiative on exclusive breastfeeding in Kenya.

ABSTRACT: The baby-friendly hospital initiative (BFHI) promotes exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in hospitals, but this is not accessible in rural settings where mothers give birth at home, hence the need for a community intervention. We tested the effectiveness of the baby-friendly community initiative (BFCI) on EBF in rural Kenya. This cluster randomized study was conducted in 13 community units in Koibatek sub-county. Pregnant women aged 15-49 years were recruited and followed up until their children were 6 months old. Mothers in the intervention group received standard maternal, infant and young child nutrition counselling, support from trained community health volunteers, health professionals and community and mother support groups, whereas those in the control group received standard counselling

SUBMITTER: Kimani-Murage EW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8189218 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature