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Cultural influences on IYCF

Document type:	Case study
Year:	2003
Location:	Sierra Leone
Topic:	IYCF
Author:	GIFA / ENN report
Date published:	January 2003

Case study from: INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD FEEDING IN EMERGENCIES GIFA/ENN PROJECT (2003)

Researchers: Mary Corbett (Evaluation of Module 1) and Marie McGrath (Collation of case studies).

Case 51
Location: Sierra Leone
Time: 2003
Source: Janet Omoro
Issue: Community and cultural influences on infant feeding choice

During my visits around Sierra Leone, I chatted with women in the host community regarding nutrition and health issues affecting their children. The main topics touched upon were the immunization status of their under-five children, children's health status, feeding habits and food choices. Reasons for food choices included what is available in the local markets at the time and what the household can afford. A number of the mothers who have had a reason to visit the health clinics did mention that there is nutrition talks given on what foods are good for children, but the reality is that they can only give what is available and at their disposal. Basically what this tells us is that in some of the communities, nutrition education may need to be combined with some collaborative action on other non-health sectors such as agriculture.

Concerning infant feeding, women suggested that they have been advised to exclusively breastfeed in the clinics. However, some remarked that they do not have enough breastmilk and besides, water, it is believed, is also good for the babies (culturally engrained practice). Consequently, despite the information they get, they “cannot” exclusively breastfeed.

My own observation is that a number of women in locations visited were definitely malnourished and there will be need to target them in selective feeding programmes. When a mothers’ nutritional situation is compromised by lack of adequate food, and given all the stresses of trying to provide food for her family, it is not uncommon to hear mothers complain of lack of breastmilk. This applies to host communities, as well as refugee populations. However this is not the only factor. Even in the refugee camps of Sierra Leone, where there are supplementary feeding programmes for pregnant and lactating mothers, women continue to supplement breastmilk with water.

This resource appears in: Field Exchange & ENN reports, presentations

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