IMPACT OF BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION PROGRAM ON PATTERN, BEHAVIOUR AND PROBLEM MANAGEMENT AMONG MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTERS CLIENTS IN ASSIUT, EGYPT

Ghazally M H¹, Zarzour A², Hani A², Morsy I²

¹Pediatric Department, Assiut University, Egypt

²Community Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt

Objective: Desining, implementing and evaluating breastfeeding promotion program(BFPP) in urban population.

Methods:This work presents a prospective intervention study with a matchable control group conducted in two maternal child health centers(MCHC) in Assiut city, Egypt. Mothers in the intervention group(n=230) were subjected to the program while mothers in the control group(n=230) received the routine care provided by the MCHC.

Results:Significant improvement in breastfeeding practices were obeserved among mothers in the internvetion group than the control mothers(earlier initiation rate 63.92% vs 32.2% , colostrum as the first food 63.5% vs 30.9%, breastfeeding ≥ 8 times/24hours 40.0% vs 70.9% and night feeding 100% vs 83.9%, p <0.001). Mothers in the intervention group were less likely to encountered breastfeeding problem than the control mothers. By the end of six months significantly more mothers in the intervention group breastfed exclusively than control(52.6% vs 16.5%, p<0.001).On the total level intervention group infants showed better growth parameters and lower morbidity.

Conclusion: BFPP can effectively improve mothers knowledge as well as positively changing their breastfeeding practices. In addition BFPP has a favourable impact on the incidence of breastfeeding problems, infant growth and infant morbidity.

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