Assessment of compliance of baby friendly hospital initiative in tertiary care hospital, South India

ObjectivesTo assess the compliance of a tertiary care hospital, South India with the ten steps of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative following the UNICEF/WHO global criteria. DesignCross-sectional study SettingTertiary care hospital, South India ParticipantsStaff nurses who are posted in in the obstetrics and gynaecology department and the mothers admitted antenatal, postnatal, and labour wards. ResultsOnly 35% of the staff nurses interviewed received formal training in breastfeeding techniques. Written information about breastfeeding was given to all prenatal mothers (100%) yet, only 75% knew the importance of breastfeeding soon after delivery. Only 62.5% of babies were exclusively breastfed and 51.3% of the babies were breastfed within one hour of birth. Compliance with the Ten Steps of baby friendly initiative was 66.63%, signifying a moderate compliance overall. ConclusionThe compliance to Ten steps of BFHI in low resource setting shows an overall moderate compliance. The Ten Steps of BFHI may be implemented more effectively in all medical facilities through the mothers absolute affection Programme (MAA). More focused approaches are needed to improve the breastfeeding practices even in tertiary care settings in India. KeypointO_ST_ABSWhat is already known on this topicC_ST_ABSGood breast-feeding practices are essential for reducing infant mortality. The effect of interventions by the Government on breast feeding practices especially in a tertiary care hospital setting, South India is poorly studied. What this study addsPractice of exclusive breast feeding is low. Compliance with the Ten Steps of baby friendly initiative was low even in a tertiary care setup in south India. How this study might affect research, practice and/or policyGood breast-feeding practices should be promoted in all health facilities. More focused interventions are needed to fill this gap.