Challenges to the Breastfeeding Process in a Developing Community: The Case of Yaoundé in Cameroon
Abstract:
The world is fast developing, increasing the rate of cultural exchange including borrowed or adopted behaviours. A number of natural well-established practices such as breastfeeding tend to be replaced with novel adaptations such as formula milk and other substitutes, to the satisfaction of modernisation and globalisation. This gradual shift towards the artificial may sometimes be imposed by environmental and human exigences of our time. We conducted an observational study with mixed cross-sectional and longitudinal designs over a period of 6 months, to assess challenges to breastfeeding practices among a group of Cameroonian women in Yaoundé. We noticed that the level of maternal education, infection with HIV, preterm, low birthweight, neonatal infection, caesarean delivery and psycho-sociocultural influences through regional origin were considerable hindrances to the process in a developing community as ours. However, we suggest the reinforcement of community information, education, and communication, together with the improvement of perinatal care, as being necessary to facilitate the breastfeeding process, thereby favoring adequate child growth, assuring maternal and infant wellbeing.
