The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the baby-friendly community initiative and maternal infant and young child nutrition in Kenya

BMC Public Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(1)

Published: May 1, 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic led to decline in access and utilization of the baby-friendly community initiative (BFCI) which is being implemented Kenya. impact on BFCI maternal child health nutrition has not been documented. We undertook a qualitative study that assessed effect activities, (MCH) services maternal, infant young (MIYCN) practices Data provision MCH MIYCN were collected using key informant interviews (n = 57), in-depth 31), focus group discussions 15) with government officials, civil society organizations members implementing non-implementing urban rural areas. Our found such as home visits, support meetings counselling, growth monitoring vaccination interrupted by due fear contracting virus, lack personal protective equipment (PPEs) movement restrictions. This meant mothers did have basic services. Food insecurity attributed financial difficulties resulted coping strategies skipping meals negatively affected practices. Positive measures prevent spread remote working enabled some adequately feed their children because they better able balance demands feeding from home. On balance, impacted BFCI, In context, there need for innovative approaches ensure continued facilities future if country finds itself similar position challenges pandemic. revealed policies could potential improve breastfeeding complementary women but further evidence needed fully evaluate this.

Language: Английский

Perinatal care and breastfeeding education during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Perspectives from Kenyan mothers and healthcare workers

Maternal and Child Nutrition, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(4)

Published: May 19, 2023

Abstract The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on breastfeeding (BF) practices in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) is not well understood. Modifications BF guidelines delivery platforms for education during are hypothesised to have affected practices. We aimed understand experiences with perinatal care, practice among Kenyan mothers who delivered infants pandemic. conducted in‐depth key informant interviews 45 between March 2020 December 2021, 26 health care workers (HCW) from four facilities Naivasha, Kenya. While noted that HCWs provided quality counselling, individual counselling was cited be less frequent than before due altered conditions safety protocols. Mothers stated some HCW messages emphasised immunologic importance BF. However, knowledge about context limited, few participants reporting specific or educational materials topics such as transmission through human milk nursing a infection. described COVID‐19‐related income loss lack support family friends major challenge practising exclusive (EBF) they wished planned. restrictions limited prevented mothers’ access familial at home, causing them stress fatigue. In cases, reported job loss, time spent seeking new means employment food insecurity causes insufficiency, which contributed mixed feeding 6 months. created changes experience mothers. EBF were provided, methods, reduced social limit this context.

Language: Английский