Challenges and strategies to implement exclusive breastfeeding in the selected Districts of Limpopo Province, South Africa: professional nurses' perspectives

Abstract

Introduction: despite the efforts of professional nurses, exclusive breastfeeding rate is very low in South Africa. Per statistic South Africa, EBF rate is 32% with Limpopo Province being rated 8% as one of the lowest in South Africa. Implementation of exclusive breastfeeding required professional nurses´ efforts, lactating mothers, families, and community need information and support from the health care system. The purpose of this study aimed at exploring professional nurses´ challenges regarding implementation of exclusive breastfeeding in Limpopo Province.

Methods: qualitative research involving phenomenological design was employed to explore professional nurses´ challenges using one on one, unstructured, in-depth interview with 30 professional nurses; 27 females and three males, working in the six birthing facilities of two selected districts; Vhembe and Waterberg, in Limpopo Province.

Results: the three higher order themes emerged were challenges experienced by nurses during promotion of exclusive breastfeeding; findings revealed challenges as cultural and religious beliefs, lack of family/community and health professional support, teen and HIV positive mothers, nurses found to have challenges to implement exclusive breastfeeding. Healthcare system and services such as shortage of staff and lack of proper training on lactation management and perceived measures to promote exclusive breastfeeding suggested by health professionals, which include ongoing health education, door to door campaigns, implementation of policy by health care professionals would promote exclusive breastfeeding strategies that are in place and encourage families and community to support lactating mothers to improve their confident on breastfeeding.

Conclusion: professional nurses had challenges in promoting exclusive breastfeeding. An intervention is needed to promote exclusive breastfeeding.