Barriers and facilitators to exclusive breastfeeding practices in a disadvantaged community in southern Zimbabwe: A maternal perspective

Abstract

Background: Despite the well-documented significance of EBF in developing countries, many poor communities still present with the highest percentage of disease burden resulting from suboptimal breastfeeding.
 Objectives: To identify the maternal perception on barriers and facilitators to EBF in Gwanda District, Zimbabwe.
 Methods: Five focused group discussions were conducted using 40 purposively-selected mothers while eight in-depth key informant interviews were also conducted. The qualitative data collected were analyzed using thematic network analysis. The themes were used in interpreting the perceived barriers and facilitators of EBF.
 Results: The study identified individual, socio-cultural, health service-related and environmental factors as the basic themes influencing maternal infant feeding choice. These were grouped into two organizing themes, namely, barriers and facilitators of EBF which were summarized into one global theme: EBF intention. Facilitating factors were maternal autonomy, self-efficacy, knowledge of EBF definition, maternal diet, support and sourcing information from healthcare workers. Poor infant feeding practices, affordability of alternative infant feeding options, ritualistic/symbolic infant preparations, family conflicts, increased workload and hot climate were barriers to EBF.
 Conclusion: To increase in uptake of EBF in the study area required comprehensive multiple stakeholder interventions incorporating the mothers, influential family members, religion and traditional advisors, and healthcare workers.

Use of Herbal Medicines Among Breastfeeding Mothers in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Such variations in utilization rate can be attributed to differences in how HM is defined in each study, as well as the differences in the public acceptance and availability of HM due to cultural influences ( Sim et al, 2013 ; James et al, 2019 ). Considering the low prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and lack of appropriate breastfeeding knowledge among Tanzanian women ( Hashim et al, 2016 ; Hasselberg et al, 2016 ; Kaaya et al, 2021 ) due to various individual, socio-cultural, and environmental barriers ( Agho et al, 2019 ; Mundagowa et al, 2021 ), appropriate use of HM as galactagogues can potentially allow the mothers to engage in optimal breastfeeding practices and act as a safe alternative to synthetic galactagogues ( Penagos-Tabares et al, 2014 ; Jyotsna and Sameet, 2020 ).…”

“They shouted at me to discontinue exclusive breastfeeding”: narratives of mothers in Limpopo Province of South Africa as they grabble with exclusive breastfeeding

“…The themes show barriers and facilitators to exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the baby's life. Barriers are those descriptions that discourage exclusive breastfeeding while facilitators are those that support exclusive breastfeeding 23 . Sub-themes show that knowledge, awareness or education on exclusive breastfeeding as well as social support are key factors to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.…”

Infant Feeding Practice and Maternal Factors Influencing Exclusive Breast Feeding: A Cross-sectional Study in Warrap State, South Sudan

“…In contrast, [27] stated that the major barrier to EBF was traditional family practices. In Ethiopia, [28] elaborated further on the same to be traditional beliefs, myths, and misconceptions about EBF and the lack of support by husband and family.…”

“…Seemingly, knowledge, attitude, and practice during breastfeeding, women understood the meaning of EBF; most of whose attitude to breastfeeding was opined as positive, since it had good benefits for the baby 415(98.81%) 95% CI 97.24, 99.49 and because it prevents disease. In Zimbabwe, it was reported that the majority of mothers (n = 193; 89%) had knowledge about EBF, and 189 (84%) expressed a positive attitude towards the practice [27]. Additionally, they asserted that EBF was associated with economic independence (AOR: 0.83; 95% CI 0.30, 0.92).…”