Perception of the Mother- and Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (MBFHI) in Cartagena, Colombia, 2012

Abstract

Objective: To establish the perception level of the implementation of the BFHI initiative steps in health institutions in Cartagena in 2012. Material and methods: Descriptive study in a population constituted by 21 public and private institutions, as well as all trained personnel in the initiative of baby friendly hospitals ,who work in these institutions, with a sample of 8 institutions. Infor-mation was collected by means of two instruments: “Assessment of the implementation levels of the initiative baby friendly hospitals’ strategy” and “Application form of self-perception and application in hospitals and in ambulatory level”. Results: The implementation level varies de-pending on the characteristics of each assessed institution. At hospital level the steps number 1, 2, 4 y 6 showed a middle implementation level, while the step number 10 indicated a low level. While at ambulatory level the steps number 1, 4, 5 and 10 presented a middle level, the others steps showed a high level. No institution offers pacifiers or baby bottles. Conclusion: Implemen-tation of the BFHI initiative in health institutions is in a high and middle level in ambulatory institutions, while in hospitals it is in high, middle and low levels.

Keywords

• Breastfeeding
• Health institutions
• Evaluation
• Rooming-in care
• Nutrition policy