Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the Programs, Policies and Practices of Infant Feeding in Ecuador

Abstract:

Adequate nutrition during the rst two years is important and ensures an adequate development in the human being. The following research evaluates the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) for children under 5 years old, hosted by Ecuador in 2002. The tool applied was established by the Asia Group of The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), which was called the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi). WBTi establishes a framework for assessing the compliance that a country has made in implementing the Global Strategy, helps key stakeholders plan and make decisions at various levels of action, and identies the strengths and weaknesses of their policies and programs. The tool was applied in 23 key stakeholders from the main cities of the country and from the governmental and private sectors who were working actively for the Nutrition of Ecuadorian children. They were selected on the basis of their position and experience in the program evaluated and their willingness to participate. According to WBTi, Ecuador's level of compliance is Low. Three of the ten indicators that evaluated policies and programs scored critically; likewise, two of the ve indicators that evaluated practices were scored with a critical score. The deciencies in complying with the National Policies, Programs, and Coordination showed an important impact on their overall compliance, which, together with a short duration of breastfeeding and the extensive use of bottle feeding, signicantly aect the Infant and Young Child Feeding.

Año de publicación:

2018

Keywords:

• policies
• practices
• ECUADOR
• breastfeeding
• Programs

Fuente:

scopus