Muchacha Munyaradzi, Mtetwa Edmos
Oasis Zimbabwe, 264 Chiremba Road, Park Meadowlands, Harare, ZIMBABWE.
School of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe, Private Bag 66022 Kopje, ZIMBABWE.
Int J MCH AIDS. 2015;3(1):16-21.
Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) uptake in Zimbabwe is very low. Given that EBF is a physiological process which transpires in a specific socio-economic milieu, this study investigates the socio-economic factors militating against its uptake.
The study used a mixed research methodology. The concurrent nested model of mixed methods was utilized using one data collection phase, during which both quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously.
The research noted that factors such as low education, low income, gender inequalities, social influence, and traditional practices were hindering the uptake of exclusive breast feeding.
The study envisages that it is pertinent for infant feeding programs to address socio-economic barriers to EBF in order to influence a positive uptake. The potential interventions include increasing men's involvement, raising awareness on EBF, and strengthening the Village Health Worker Program.
津巴布韦的纯母乳喂养率非常低。鉴于纯母乳喂养是一个在特定社会经济环境中发生的生理过程，本研究调查了阻碍其推广的社会经济因素。
本研究采用了混合研究方法。使用混合方法的并发嵌套模型，在一个数据收集阶段同时收集定量和定性数据。
研究指出，低教育水平、低收入、性别不平等、社会影响和传统习俗等因素阻碍了纯母乳喂养的推广。
该研究设想，婴儿喂养项目解决纯母乳喂养的社会经济障碍以促进积极推广是很有必要的。潜在的干预措施包括增加男性的参与度、提高对纯母乳喂养的认识以及加强乡村卫生工作者项目。
