Paper: Impact of Capacity Building of Local Lactation Consultants for Safe Maternal and Child Health in Developing Countries (19th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice)

Monday, 7 July 2008

Yasmin Murad Mithani, RN, RM, BScN, IBCLC , School of Nursing, The Aga Khan University School of Nursing, Karachi, Pakistan

Zahra Shaheen, BScN, RN, IBCLC , Catco Kids, Inc, Catco Kids Inc, Karachi, Pakistan

Zohra Kurji, BScN, RN, IBCLC , School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan

Shehnaz Rashid, BScN, RN, IBCLC , Lactation Clinic, Maternal and Child Health Center, Sharjah. Ministry of Health, UAE, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Learning Objective 1: Highlight the importance of breastfeeding on maternal and child health

Learning Objective 2: Describe the relationship between developing capacity of local health care professional and its impact on maternal and neonatal mortality in developing countries

Breastfeeding is a natural activity which has been proven to be the best source of nutrition for infants and is equally beneficial for mothers. Various researches have demonstrated significant nutritional, developmental, psychological, immunological, social, economical and environmental benefits of breast feeding that assists in preventing life-threatening illnesses. As suggested by Horton (2005) in a newsletter, 4 million new born babies dies each year and nearly 3 million of them could be saved if their mother have access to low cost care such as tetanus immunization during pregnancy, have clean delivery, babies are breastfeeding exclusively, and antibiotics are available to treat illness. Despite this, in developing countries, breast feeding practices are an under-stated public health issue. Hence, role of lactation consultants or health professionals is highly influential in protecting, promoting and supporting breast feeding for maternal and child health. Lactation Consultants play a significant role in addressing the issue. As stated in IBLCE website, “the International Board Certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) profession emerged with the awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby, as published in the Report of the Surgeon General's Workshop on Breastfeeding and Human Lactation in 1984. IBCLCs use problem solving approach to provide appropriate information and support in a variety of settings be it hospitals, clinics, homes, and physicians' offices; and acts as key agents to advocate and promote breast feeding for the benefit of mothers and infants. Consequently, neonatal mortality can be reduced by developing capacity of local health care professionals as breastfeeding counselors or consultants in developing countries.

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