B.R.A.V.E. – MSAI India

Name of the activity: B.R.A.V.E.

Country/NMO: MSAI India

Program: Maternal Health and Access to Safe Abortion

Contact information: contact [email protected] to get in touch with the Activity Coordinator

Type of the activity: First-time Activity

Category: Campaign

Focus area: Breastfeeding, Maternal Healthcare Services (antenatal, antepartum and postpartum care) 

Sustainable Development Goals addressed: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

General description:

B.R.A.V.E.: Breastfeeding Responsibility Awareness and Vocalising Empowerment

India ranks lowest among South Asian countries in breastfeeding practices. If India were to universalize breastfeeding in coming years, it could reduce under-5 deaths, diarrhea and breast cancer annually. This activity is a step towards transforming India into a breastfeeding nation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs).

Problem statement:

India ranks lowest among South Asian countries in breastfeeding practices. If India were to universalize breastfeeding in coming years, it could reduce under-5 deaths, diarrhea and breast cancer annually. This activity is a step towards transforming India into a breastfeeding nation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs).

Target groups:

• Medical students
• Healthcare Students
• Women

Beneficiaries:

• General population
• Children
• Youth
• Women

Objectives:

1. Equip at least 40 future healthcare providers with the basic knowledge of Breastfeeding, care related to it and its importance through a capacity building online workshop session of 4 hrs.
2. Through an awareness activity with the help of a powerpoint presentation & group discussion, organized over a span of 6 months, for at least 250 individuals, we aim:

a.To visit women in Antenatal care and postnatal wards in our hospitals and talk to them about proper Breastfeeding practices

1. To discuss with them the various misconceptions and myths they harbor regarding breastfeeding and work to bust them so that they are more inclined to breastfeed their babies
2. To advocate for exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of age with the aim of reducing future morbidities that could be prevented by breastfeeding
3. To burst myths and facts about Breastfeeding, educate students about milk banks etc. through infographics over a week during world breastfeeding week.

Indicators:

General Indicators-

1. Capacity Building Session for at least 40 participants
2. Number of on ground events- Minimum 20
3. Number of target population reached- Minimum 250
4. Satisfaction ratio of 70% of participants

Specific Indicators-

1. At least 70% of participants have complete knowledge about breastfeeding through the capacity building session
2. At least 70% of the women in ANC & PNC wards in our hospital know the proper Breastfeeding practices
3. At least 70% of the women and their families in ANC & PNC wards in our hospitals have no myths regarding Breastfeeding for their babies
4. At least 70% of participants advocate for breastfeeding with the aim of reducing future morbidities that could be prevented by breastfeeding
5. To reach out to at least 500 people through Instagram infographics 

Methodology:

A capacity building workshop for future healthcare providers was a 3 ½  hour session in August, addressing the basics of breastfeeding and right techniques for the same. The participants will further be guided to conduct an activity launched for the general population for spreading awareness about breastfeeding. 

Awareness Activity for the women in ANC and PNC wards of hospitals to be conducted by the workshop participants is planned.

Plans for evaluation:

1. The capacity building session will be evaluated using 

a.Pre workshop questionnaire

1. Post workshop questionnaire 
2. The activity will be evaluated by 
3. Pre event questionnaire
4. Post event questionnaire 
5. Photographic evaluation 
6. Self evaluation by post event report forms of impact generated, content and idea of activity.

External collaborations:

Dr. Mettu Pradeep Reddy, A Paediatrician from Hyderabad, India who also happens to work for the RMNCH+A Department in UNICEF was a speaker in our capacity building workshop.