Implementing the Ten Steps for Successful Breastfeeding in hospitals serving low-wealth patients.
OBJECTIVE
The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding is a proven approach to support breastfeeding in maternity settings; however, scant literature exists on the relative impact and interpretation of each step on breastfeeding. We assessed the Ten Steps and their relationship with in-hospital breastfeeding rates at facilities serving low-wealth populations and explored the outcomes to identify step-specific actions.


METHODS
We present descriptive and nonparametric comparisons and qualitative findings to examine the relationship between the Ten Steps and breastfeeding rates from each hospital using baseline data collection.


RESULTS
Some steps (1--policy, 2--training, 4--skin-to-skin, 6--no supplements, and 9--no artificial nipples, followed by 3--prenatal counseling, 7--rooming-in) reflected differences in relative baseline breastfeeding rates between settings. Key informant interviews revealed misunderstanding of some steps.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-appraisal may be less valid when not all elements of the criteria for evaluating Step implementation may be fully understood. Limited exposure and understanding may lead to self-appraisal errors, resulting in scores that are not reflective of actual practices. Nonetheless, the indication that breastfeeding rates may be better mirrored by a defined subset of steps may provide some constructive insight toward prioritizing implementation activities and simplifying assessment. These issues will be further explored in the next phase of this study.
The Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7445, USA.
Emily C
EC
Taylor
Nathan C
NC
Nickel
Miriam H
MH
Labbok
D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011203:Poverty; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods