Community participation in breastfeeding programmes: The case of mother support groups (MSGS) in kaunda Square stage II and the Natural Resources Development College (NRDC) in Lusaka, Zambia
Date
2012-05-21
Authors
Mwale, Stephen
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Abstract
This report is based on the writer's experience with the breastfeeding project which is being funded by the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) and implemented by the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) wing of the Chainama Hills Hospital in Kaunda Square Stage n and the Natural Resources Development College (NRDC) residential areas in Lusaka. The report makes a comparative assessment of community participation in the promotion of
breastfeeding in the two communities. Specifically, the report examines issues relating to the recruitment of the members of the support groups, the training they received, as well as their role and effectiveness in the communities they serve. The report also makes recommendations
to the authorities on how to enhance community participation in the breastfeeding programme in the two communities. The methodology used for data collection is outlined in the appropriate section of this report.Although the menfolk have a significant role to play in the success of any project involving women, their participation in the breastfeeding programme in the two communities is beyond
the scope of this report.The data on which much of this report is based was collected during the writer's practical attachment in the Kaunda Square Stage II and the NRDC communities between 9 January, 1998
and 9 April, 1998. The International Questionnaire (IQ) development software was used to design a computer-based worksheet on which the data was entered after it was coded. The data was analyzed in the Lotus 1-2-3 and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. There is evidence of community participation in breastfeeding in the Kaunda Square stage II and NRDC communities. Members of the support groups are eager to enhance breastfeeding in their respective communities.However, alot needs to be done in order to bring awareness and mobilize the community to join the support groups. This report has given recommendations on how community participation in breastfeeding can be enhance in the two communities.
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Women- Health and Hygiene- -Lusaka - -Kaunda Square stage II;NRDC , Community participation , Mass media in breastfeeding promotion- -Lusaka- -NRDC , Breastfeeding- -kaunda Square stageII