Awareness and Violations of Breastfeeding Legislation in Pakistan
Author Information
Author(s): Salasibew Mihretab, Kiani Ayyaz, Faragher Brian, Garner Paul
Primary Institution: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
What is the level of awareness among health professionals regarding Pakistan's national breastfeeding legislation and the WHO International Code?
Conclusion
Most hospital health professionals were unaware of national breastfeeding legislation in Pakistan, and infant formula companies were continuing to flout the ban on gifts, free samples and sponsorship for health staff.
Supporting Evidence
- 70.5% of health workers were unaware of the national breastfeeding law.
- 79.6% of health workers were unaware of the International Code.
- 38.4% of health workers reported receiving gifts from infant formula companies.
- 15.9% of health workers received free samples of infant formula.
- 12.4% received sponsorship for training or conferences.
Takeaway
Many doctors and nurses in Pakistan don't know the rules about breastfeeding, and some are still getting gifts and free samples from baby formula companies, which is against the law.
Methodology
Structured interviews were conducted with health staff at 12 urban government hospitals in Pakistan.
Potential Biases
Health workers may have underreported their awareness or receipt of gifts due to social desirability bias.
Limitations
The study was too small to be representative of all urban government hospitals in Pakistan.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of respondents was 29.7 years, with 78.2% female; included paediatricians, obstetricians, nurses, resident doctors, midwives, and lady health visitors.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 3.12, 15.7
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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