Publications by authors named "Eddah Kafansiyanji"
Objective: To assess the association between breastfeeding competency, as determined by Latch, Audible swallowing, Type of nipple, Comfort, and Hold (LATCH) and Preterm Infant Breastfeeding Behavior Scale (PIBBS) scores, and exclusive breastfeeding and growth among infants with low birth weight (LBW) in India, Malawi, and Tanzania.
Study Design: We conducted LATCH and PIBBS assessments among mother-infant dyads enrolled in the Low Birthweight Infant Feeding Exploration (LIFE) observational study of infants with moderately LBW (1500g-2499 g) in India, Malawi, and Tanzania. We analyzed feeding and growth patterns among this cohort.
Objective: Globally, early and optimal feeding practices and strategies for small and vulnerable infants are limited. We aim to share the challenges faced and implementation lessons learned from a complex, mixed methods research study on infant feeding.
Design: A formative, multi-site, observational cohort study using convergent parallel, mixed-methods design.
Article Synopsis
- Infants require care in clean environments to minimize exposure to germs, as inadequate sanitation and hygiene contribute to infections, especially in low-income areas.
- A study evaluated water, sanitation, and hygiene practices in 12 healthcare facilities across India, Malawi, and Tanzania, focusing on infant feeding preparation to identify risks of contamination.
- Results showed that while facilities had improved water and sanitation, many lacked written procedures for safe feeding practices, with 17% of observed behaviors executed unsafely, highlighting the need for better guidelines and research on microbial risks.