title: The effect of baby friendly hospital initiative and postnatal support on breastfeeding rates--Croatian experience.
abstract: The effects of implementation WHO/UNICEF Breastfeeding Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and community postnatal support on breastfeeding rates were examined during and after the breastfeeding promotion campaign in one county of Croatia. Comparison with a control group indicated increase of breastfeeding prevalence in a period of BFHI implementation (1994-1998) - 68% vs. 87% at infant age 1 mo., 30% vs. 54% at 3 mo., 11.5% vs. 28% at 6 mo., and 2% vs. 3.5% at infant age 11-12 mo. (chi-square test, p < 0.05). More considerable increase has been noticed in period 1999-2000 which is characterized by breastfeeding support groups activity: 68% vs. 87% at infant age 1 mo., 30% vs. 66% at 3 mo., 11.5% vs. 49% at 6 mo., and 2% vs. 23% at infant age 11-12 mo. (chi-square test, p < 0.05). Our conclusion is that activities aiming to promote breastfeeding in maternity hospitals have had limited success. They have resulted in satisfactory increase of breastfeeding prevalence in early infant's period, but for far-reaching effect postnatal support is also required.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia. apavicic@net.hr
authors.forename: Anita Pavicić
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Bosnjak
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Batinica
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hegedus-Jungvirth
authors.forename: Josip
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grgurić
authors.forename: Jadranka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bozikov
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D017523:Croatia; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support