Nurses' knowledge of the recommendations of the WHO international code of marketing breast milk substitutes in Geneva
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Authors
Witherspoon, Joyce
Issue Date
2013-06-25
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
The International code of marketing breast milk substitutes , Member states , Malnutrition , Knowledge , Infant nutrition , Breast milk , Complementary food nurses , Mothers , Hospitals , Counseling , Baby friendly initiative
Alternative Title
Abstract
The WHO Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitute is a public health recommendation to reduce
preventable causes of infant morbidity and mortality associated with malnutrition. Irresponsible
marketing of infant formula in hospitals is a threat to exclusive breastfeeding. Nurses are mandated
to support, encourage and protect breastfeeding and to familiarize themselves with their
responsibilities under this Code.
The researcher explored Geneva nurses' knowledge of the Code and its impact in practice. Eighty
seven point seven percent of the participating nurses had poor level of knowledge of the Code. Poor
knowledge of the Code impacts on the quality and consistency of information given to mothers in
hospitals. Inadvertent violations of the Code were observed among a minority of the respondents:
7.3% indicated that they received gifts; 2.4% received sponsorships to conferences.
Training about the Code and its application in counseling is recommended to complement the babyfriendly
initiative at hospitals to improve nutrition outcomes.
Description
Citation
Witherspoon, Joyce (2013) Nurses' knowledge of the recommendations of the WHO international code of marketing breast milk substitutes in Geneva, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/9927>
Publisher
License
University of South Africa