The County Government of Vihiga, in collaboration with the Maziwa Foundation, has held a dissemination meeting to review feedback from a recent survey conducted among breastfeeding mothers across the County.
The survey, carried out through the Department of Health Services, revealed that 83 per cent of mothers in Vihiga are knowledgeable about breastfeeding. However, it also highlighted persistent myths and misconceptions that continue to hinder proper breastfeeding practices.
Speaking during the meeting, County health officials emphasised the importance of empowering mothers with accurate information on breastfeeding and complementary feeding habits.
The findings will guide targeted interventions to promote optimal infant nutrition and improve child health outcomes.
Through the partnership, the County Government and Maziwa Foundation plan to assess breastfeeding and complementary feeding habits among mothers with young children, as well as evaluate the frequency and methods of breast milk expression.
The two institutions also intend to train more Community-Based Ambassadors (CBAs) across various community units and roll out awareness campaigns to dispel myths surrounding breastfeeding, encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and support continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond.
By Sarah Mwanisa
