The Sharjah Baby-Friendly Campaign: A Community-Based Model for Breastfeeding Promotion, Protection, and Support
- 1 November 2015
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in Breastfeeding Medicine
- Vol. 10 (9), 437-441
- https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2015.0095
Abstract
Introduction: Breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support are one of the most cost-effective public health interventions to advance maternal and child health. The World Health Organization, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, and numerous health organizations have recommended exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, which is a key indicator of breastfeeding promotion programs worldwide. Despite the recommendations and various initiatives to promote breastfeeding, most women do not reach the exclusive breastfeeding target in both developed and developing countries. Such has been the case in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Materials and Methods: Therefore, based on the decree for breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support by the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE, H.H. Sheikh Doctor Sultan Al Qasimi, a multisectorial, multidirectional breastfeeding campaign—the Sharjah Baby-Friendly Campaign—was launched in March 2012 by H.E. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, under her patronage. It consisted of four initiatives—namely, Baby-Friendly Health Facility, Mother-Friendly Workplace, Breastfeeding-Friendly Nursery, and Mother-Baby Friendly Public Place. Once an organization met the criteria for any of these initiatives, it was awarded the designation or accreditation of that initiative. Results: The campaign initiatives worked through capacity building of healthcare workers, provided professional support and facilitation for the accreditation process, developed breastfeeding education content and resources, and organized and conducted breastfeeding promotion seminars in health facilities and community, as well as community outreach through social media and an innovative mobile mother' room. Conclusions: The positive impact of the campaign on breastfeeding promotion, protection, and support is evident by the increased exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 months and decreased bottle feeding rates at both 4 and 6 months.Keywords
This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
- Global Breastfeeding Advocacy InitiativeBreastfeeding Medicine, 2014
- Interventions Designed to Promote Exclusive Breastfeeding in High-Income Countries: A Systematic ReviewBreastfeeding Medicine, 2014
- Breastfeeding promotion interventions and breastfeeding practices: a systematic reviewBMC Public Health, 2013
- Scaling Up of Breastfeeding Promotion Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: the “Breastfeeding Gear” ModelAdvances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal, 2012
- Intragroup Differences in Risk Factors for Breastfeeding Outcomes in a Multicultural CommunityJournal of Human Lactation, 2006