Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Exclusive Breastfeeding of Infants Younger Than 6 Months in Mozambique: A Qualitative Study

Author:

Arts Maaike1,Geelhoed Diederike2,De Schacht Caroline1,Prosser Wendy3,Alons Cathrien4,Pedro Avone5

Affiliation:

1. Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Mozambique

2. International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Belgium

3. Population Services International, Mozambique

4. Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation in Mozambique

5. Ministry of Health of Mozambique

Abstract

Only 37% of infants younger than 6 months in Mozambique are exclusively breastfed. A qualitative assessment was undertaken to identify the knowledge, beliefs, and practices around exclusive breastfeeding—specifically, those of mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and nurses—and to identify the support networks. Results show many barriers. In addition to receiving breast milk, infants receive water, traditional medicines, and porridges before 6 months of age. Many mothers had heard of the recommendation to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months. However, other family decision makers had heard less about exclusive breastfeeding, and many expressed doubts about its feasibility. Some of them expressed willingness to support exclusive breastfeeding if they were informed by health workers. Nurses know the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and pass this information on verbally but have insufficient counseling skills. Interventions to improve exclusive breastfeeding should target family and community members and include training of health workers in counseling to resolve breastfeeding problems.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Obstetrics and Gynecology

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