Authors: Nicola Singletary, Zoha Waqar Farooqi
Pakistan has poor breastfeeding rates, contributing to high infant morbidity and mortality. Less than half of infants under 6 months are exclusively breastfed, only 20% are breastfed within the first hour, and nearly half never receive colostrum. Lady health workers (LHWs) support maternal and child health programs, including breastfeeding, in their communities. This study explores LHWs’ views and experiences with breastfeeding. Semi-structured interviews with 14 LHWs showed they build trust through community ties and family involvement. Frequent home visits starting prenatally help address infant feeding misconceptions. While knowledgeable about breastfeeding benefits and colostrum, LHWs lack understanding of breast conditions, safe preparation of milk substitutes, milk production physiology, and supporting mothers separated from their babies. Improved training in these areas could enhance LHWs’ ability to support early and exclusive breastfeeding.
Link: Beliefs, Experiences, and Practices of Lady Health Workers in Facilitating Breastfeeding in Rural Communities in Pakistan
Resource Topic: Breastfeeding
Resource Type: Evaluation
Year: 2024
Region:
Country: Pakistan
Publisher May Restrict Access: Yes