The BFRA is dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding in Cameroon through research and advocacy as part of her efforts in reducing infant mortality and improving maternal health.

The mission is to coordinate efforts by organizations, agencies, institutions, and individuals towards the development of strategic plans, policies, and goals for breastfeeding and reproductive health and to see that breastfeeding practices and attitudes are enforced and given priority as an indispensable step to achieving goals four (4) and five (5) of the Millennium Development Goals.

Problema

RESEARCH • Effects of maternal alcohol consumption on gestational age, delivery time and neonatal wellbeing • Effects of gestation on initiation and duration of lactation • Correlation of delayed initiation of breastfeeding and frequent hospitalization of infants below 1 year • Knowledge and attitude of breastfeeding practices in first time mothers post partum • Relationship between exogenous oxytocin administration and delayed initiation of breastfeeding • The adherence of health care facilities in Cameroon to the International code for the marketing of breast milk products and substitutes • Challenges to the implementation of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative in health care facilities

Solución

Through the breastfeeding research and advocacy unit we deliver programs, host community events, and promote media messages that: • Encourage proper breastfeeding techniques and practices • Support nursing mother in the workplace

Ejemplo

ACTIVITIES • BFRA collects, collates and disseminate information on breastfeeding science and guidelines. • BFRA focuses on collaborative work with grassroots maternal and child health and social service providers. • Training of community health workers, or lay health promoters, who make a personal commitment to improving the health of babies and infants. • Creating mobile Antenatal Clinics which focus on goal-targeted ANC than “traditional ANC” • Advocate for reproductive health rights and free distribution of contraceptive materials and useful resources in a bid to increase contraceptive rates • Assist organizations in developing programs that use the power of peer support, incorporating trained community health workers into positions in outreach, breastfeeding education and advocacy programs. • BFRA seeks to mobilize diverse stakeholders to build for policies and programs that improve breastfeeding practices in some of the most distressed communities in the country. • Offering of scholarships to orphans and girls to study midwifery and nursing in a bid to expanding knowledge of reproductive health and providing each household with a skilled birth attendant (Indicator 5.2 of MDG 5)