Breastfeeding Initiatives in Estonia Anneli Sammel, MA National Institute for Health Development 28.10.2015
Topics of the presenation National policy farework Monitoring The Role of Health Care (Primary Health Care Settings and Hospitals and Communities)
National Policy Framework National Health Development Plan (NHP) 2009-2020 The aim of the health policy: Increase life expectancy Increase the number of healthy life years through reduction of premature mortality and morbidity rates Provision of high-quality medical and nursing assistance
National Policy Framework (cont.) NHP Strategic Area II Safe and Healthy Development of Children and Young People: State funded and annually planned initatives to promote brastfeeding (training for health professionals, Baby-Friendly Hospital Network Initiative`s (BFHI), trained professionals to evaluate the BFHI criteries, public awarness campaignes etc.) Estonian Committee for Breastfeeding Promotion: Confirmed by the Health Minister in 2012 The aim of the Commitee: to advise the Ministry of Social Affairs on issues related to infant feeding.
National Policy Framework (cont.) Green Paper on Nutrition and Physical Activity (under development) The aim of the policy document: To develop an extensive cross-cutting approach that would: promote healthy and balanced nutrition and regular physical activity during all stages of life, incl. promotion of breastfeeding decrease health problems that result from unbalanced nutrition and excessive body weight reduce non-communicable diseases, thus extend the length of healthy life in general.
National Legislation Article 23 of the Advertising Act: Advertising of infant formula is banned in Estonia. Parental Benefit Act entered into force on 2004 (maternity leave is covered by the state for 1,5 years after the birth)
Monitoring Infants breastfeeding data collection is regulated by the ministerial decree The data is submitted by the primary health care doctors to the National Institute for Health Develpoment The data is published in the health statistics and health research database http://pxweb.tai.ee/esf/pxweb2008/dialog/varval.asp?ma=sr91&ti=sr91%3a+imikute +t%e4ielik+rinnapiimaga+toitmine+kestuse+ja+maakonna+j%e4rgi&path=../database/ Rahvastik/02S%FCnnid/&lang=2
% of infants breastfed at age 3 months Source: WHO, HFA database
% of infants breastfed at age 6 months Source: WHO, HFA database
Monitoring (cont.): Number of children (2014) % (2014) Number of one-year old children in reporting year 13 270 100% Excl. breastfed infants of them 1 week 11 770 88,7% 1 month 10 543 79,4% 3 months 8 734 65,8% 6 months 4 625 34,9% partially breastfed infants of them 3 months N/A N/A 6 months N/A N/A 12 months N/A N/A Fully and partially breastfed infants by brestfeeding duration *N/A due to the data quality
The role of Health Care Settings and Community (1) In Estonia breast-feeding is the norm for feeding the newborn. Medical workers do not ask mother whether she intends to do it or not; All the children (if there are no medical contraindications) are placed after the birth on mother's abdomen (skin to skin contact), where they stay for two hours; Counselling at hospitals after the birth of child due to the barriers of breastfeeding is regionally not equally available. Counselling at Primary Health Care Settings is a part of monthly visits during the first year
The role of Health Care Settings and Community (2) Counselling in Communities: Volunteer consultants (NGO-s) supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs (Project funded). Training of midwives, family physicians, family nurses (2012-2013 Project funded) Future plans: Mandatory home visits by the family nurse on the baby`s first week of life.
Campaigns to promote breastfeeding The annual breastfeeding week Conference and lectures (first week in August) Last campaign focused on three themes: fathers who can support women https://vimeo.com/135193999 breastfeeding in public https://vimeo.com/135193889 breast feed as the most nutritious food https://vimeo.com/135193942 These small video clips distributed on the internet websites.
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