The 100% Breastfed Initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Stanford Center for Health Education and numerous local stakeholders including: The Western Cape Dept. of Health, The University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, UNICEF, Philani Child Health and Nutrition, The University of the Witswatersrand, University of Limpopo and the First 1000 Days Initiative. The initiative is designed to help raise awareness and improve knowledge around the practice of breastfeeding.
A special version of the 100% Breastfed series was also created for the training of frontline health workers on how to better communicate these critical health messages to the families they serve. By empowering families with knowledge, we can work towards a brighter future for all South Africans.
THE GAP
In South Africa, rates of exclusive breastfeeding remain among the lowest in the world. Raising awareness around the benefits of breastfeeding as well as improving maternal knowledge about how to best feed their babies is a critical part of the solution to this public health problem.
OUR APPROACH
In collaboration with UNICEF, the South African National Dept. of Health, the Western Cape Dept. of Health, local academic institutions and NGOs, we developed an engaging, video series, translated into multiple South African languages, to help raise awareness and improve knowledge around the practice of breastfeeding. A special version was also created for the training of frontline health workers on how to better communicate these critical health messages to the families they serve. By empowering families with knowledge, we can work towards a brighter future for all South Africans.
DISSEMINATION
Our content is disseminated through collaborations with multiple local partners, including local NGOs who employ community health workers. Our key dissemination partner in the Western Cape is the Philani Maternal Child Health and Nutrition Trust, an organization that employs more than 200 CHWs. The content is also disseminated through local clinics with the generous support of Johnson & Johnson and the Western Cape Dept. of Health.
IMPACT EVALUATION
The 100% Breastfed content is currently being evaluated through a large cluster randomized controlled trial in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Frontline health workers employed by the Philani Maternal Child Health and Nutrition Trust are working with the collaboratively developed 100% Breastfed content to support more than 1000 pregnant women as they make one of the most important decisions in their babies’ lives.
Project Videos
Breastfeeding: How It Works
The Benefits of Breastfeeding Mothers
What Happened to the Practice of Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding International Recommendations
Breastfeeding Challenges Faced by Many New Mothers
Safe Infant Feeding Practices for Mothers Who are Not Breastfeeding
Unsafe Infant Feeding Practices
Breastfeeding for Working Mothers
Breastfeeding for HIV+ Mothers in Under-Resourced Settings
100% Breastfed: The importance of breastfeeding your baby
100% Breastfed trailer final SA
Project Collaborators
