Table 2 Emerging themes on barriers to scale-up of peer counselling support for exclusive breastfeeding in Uganda
Organizing theme | Sub-theme |
|---|---|
Limited resources and high community expectations | - Mobilization and support of peer counsellors - Motivation of peer counsellors - High community expectations |
HIV related challenges | - Stigma and non-disclosure of HIV status - Confusing messages on HIV transmission through breastfeeding |
Health facility challenges | - Few health workers - Lack of appropriate IEC materials on EBF promotion - Negative attitude of some health workers |
Cultural beliefs and practices | - Breast milk is not enough especially for the boy child - Giving complimentary feeds is a norm, highly acceptable and widely practiced - Influence and advice from significant others e.g. mothers and mothers’ in-laws - Expressing breast milk a taboo and can kill |
Economic barriers | - A belief that EBF only is for the poor who cannot afford supplementary feeds - Lack of food for the mother to produce adequate breast milk - Heavy domestic chores among women |
Lack of supportive policies and programmes | - Work places not suitable for breastfeeding (lack space and short leave) |
Low male involvement for maternal health | - Men do not attend antenatal clinics - Men are not informed and unsupportive of EBF |