Community volunteers can improve breastfeeding among children under six months of age in the Democratic Republic of Congo crisis

Balaluka, Ghislain Bisimwa; Nabugobe, Pepin S.; Mitangala, Prudence; Cobohwa, Nickel B.; Schirvel, Carole; Dramaix, Michèle; Donnen, Philippe

doi:10.1186/1746-4358-7-2

Cited by 21 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…A qualitative assessment in four provinces of Mozambique reported that maternal consumption of certain foods, such as peanuts and coconut, were advised as a way to resolve breastmilk inadequacies [11]. Diminished breastmilk quantity and quality reported in Democratic Republic of Congo, Eastern Uganda, Egypt and Kenya, showed that "eating well", "strength and energy giving foods" and "sufficient amounts" were related to mothers' adequacy of breastmilk production [22,[28][29][30][31]]. Yet, maintaining breastfeeding frequency and duration (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening counseling on barriers to exclusive breastfeeding through use of job aids in Nampula, Mozambique

Kavle

Picolo²,

Buccini

et al. 2019

PLoS ONE

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IntroductionWhile the Government of Mozambique has galvanized action around exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) as a national priority, only 43% of Mozambican children under six months of age are exclusively breastfed. In the absence of skilled lactation support, challenges mothers experience with breastfeeding may inhibit initiation, exclusivity and duration. There is insufficient evidence on how to strengthen health providers' competencies to address breastfeeding challenges in low-and middle-income countries. The objectives of this study were to 1) assess EBF challenges, from the perspectives of health providers and mothers; 2) ascertain the quality of health provider counseling to address EBF challenges; and 3) gain an understanding of the usefulness of job aids to improve counseling within routine health contact points in Nampula, Mozambique.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening counseling on barriers to exclusive breastfeeding through use of job aids in Nampula, Mozambique

Kavle

Picolo²,

Buccini

et al. 2019

PLoS ONE

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“…Additionally, qualitative data from Eastern Uganda and Kenya have shown a link between mothers' perceptions of “eating well” and “sufficient amounts of food” with their perception of sufficient breastmilk production (Engebretsen et al, ; Kimani‐Murage et al, ; MCSP, ). Congolese mothers in south Kivu, DRC, relayed that perceived reductions in breastmilk quantity were related to inability of mothers to consume enough food (Balaluka et al, ). In addition, most mothers faced financial challenges and stated nutrient‐rich foods such as meat, milk, fruits, and vegetables were prohibitive in cost to purchase for the family, which limited the diversity of children's diets as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening nutrition services within integrated community case management (iCCM) of childhood illnesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Evidence to guide implementation

Kavle

Pacqué

Dalglish³

et al. 2019

Maternal & Child Nutrition

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In the Democratic Republic of Congo, 43% of children under 5 years of age suffer from stunting, and the majority (60%) of children, 6–59 months of age, are anaemic. Malaria, acute respiratory infections, and diarrheal diseases are common among children less than 5 years of age, with 31% of children 6–59 months affected by malaria. This qualitative implementation science study aimed to identify gaps and opportunities available to strengthen service delivery of nutrition within integrated community case management (iCCM) at the health facility and community level in Tshopo Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, through the following objectives: (a) examine cultural beliefs and perceptions of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and child illness, (b) explore the perspectives and knowledge of facility‐based and community‐based health providers on nutrition and iCCM, and (c) gain an understanding of the influence of key family and community members on IYCF and care‐seeking practices. This study involved in‐depth interviews with mothers of children under 5 years of age (n = 48), grandmothers (n = 20), fathers (n = 21), facility‐based providers (n = 18), and traditional healers (n = 20) and eight focus group discussions with community health workers. Study findings reveal most mothers reported diminished quantity and quality of breastmilk linked to child/maternal illness, inadequate maternal diet, and feedings spaced too far apart. Mothers' return to work in the field led to early introduction of foods prior to 6 months of age, impeding exclusive breastfeeding. Moreover, children's diets are largely limited in frequency and diversity with small quantities of foods fed. Most families seek modern and traditional medicine to remedy child illness, dependent on type of disease, its severity, and cost. Traditional healers are the preferred source of information for families on certain child illnesses and breastmilk insufficiency. Community health workers often refer and accompany families to the health centre, yet are underutilized for nutrition counselling, which is infrequently given. Programme recommendations are to strengthen health provider capacity to counsel on IYCF and iCCM while equipping health workers with updated social and behavior change communication (SBCC) materials and continued supportive supervision. In addition, targeting key influencers to encourage optimal IYCF practices is needed through community and mother support groups. Finally, exploring innovative ways to work with traditional healers, to facilitate referrals for sick/malnourished children and provide simple nutrition advice for certain practices (i.e., breastfeeding), would aid in strengthening nutrition within iCCM.

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“…In the DRC's health system, prenatal health education occurs during prenatal check‐ups. For this occasion, the health centre organizes awareness raising sessions around various themes for the benefit of mothers and child . This can explain why almost all pregnant women had attended prenatal health education in Kinshasa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behaviour of pregnant women towards the use of prenatal care services: A comparative study between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Sabine

Jose

2013

Int J of Nursing Practice

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The present study aims to highlight and describe the elements of difference and/or similarity between China (Changchun) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa) concerning the behaviour of pregnant women in the use of prenatal care services. A cross-sectional investigation with a self-designed survey was carried out from September 2011 to March 2012 among pregnant women attending antenatal visits in Changchun and Kinshasa. Sixty pregnant women of childbearing age, with an uncomplicated pregnancy, attending prenatal visits in two hospitals and two community care centres were eligible for the study. Data were analysed using SPSS 13.0 software. Kinshasa 86.6% vs. Changchun 26.6% of pregnant women attended prenatal health education. In Changchun none of the responders (0%) have received tetanus vaccine, whereas in Kinshasa 90% were vaccinated against tetanus. Kinshasa 73.3% vs. Changchun 23.3% of pregnant women confirmed that they have performed the HIV test. The elements of difference found in our results were statistically significant P < 0.05. Prenatal health education can help pregnant women to have an appropriate awareness and improve their behaviour in the use of prenatal care services.

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Community volunteers can improve breastfeeding among children under six months of age in the Democratic Republic of Congo crisis

Cited by 21 publications

References 22 publications

Strengthening counseling on barriers to exclusive breastfeeding through use of job aids in Nampula, Mozambique

Strengthening counseling on barriers to exclusive breastfeeding through use of job aids in Nampula, Mozambique

Strengthening nutrition services within integrated community case management (iCCM) of childhood illnesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Evidence to guide implementation

Behaviour of pregnant women towards the use of prenatal care services: A comparative study between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo

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