Open AccessFacilitators and challenges to exclusive breastfeeding in Belagavi District, Karnataka, India
Author(s) -
Umesh Charantimath,
Roopa Bellad,
Niranjana Majantashetti,
Yukiko Washio,
Richard J. Derman,
Patricia J. Kelly,
Vanessa L. Short,
Esther K. Chung,
Shivaprasad S. Goudar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0231755
Subject(s) - breastfeeding , facilitator , focus group , variety (cybernetics) , medicine , nursing , psychology , pediatrics , business , social psychology , marketing , computer science , artificial intelligence
Objective A primary objective of this study was to identify specific facilitators and challenges around exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in our community in India, from the perspective of breastfeeding mothers and their support networks. Methods We conducted eight focus groups incorporating 75 women and their support networks in the Belagavi District, Karnataka State, India. We used a directed content analysis to guide the analysis. Results The specific facilitator that emerged as a theme, broad support for and knowledge about breastfeeding on the individual , family and community levels , was a seeming contraction to the identified specific challenge, the paradox of the common practice of supplemental feeds . Conclusions Despite voicing strong support for and knowledge about EBF, participants were familiar with a variety of supplemental feeding practices in their communities. In place of universal condemnation of all supplemental feeding, policy makers might consider strategies to address the most potentially dangerous of these practices.