Panama breastfeeding promotion project evaluation

The evaluation covers the period 9/83-1987. The project's unique regional focus allowed flexibility in promoting breastfeeding and enforcing related national policies. Regional workshops were conducted for more than 4,000 health personnel. While no nationwide data are available to assess training impact, small-scale evaluations reflect major improvements in hospital practices and subsequent breastfeeding rates. Changes include increased rates of rooming-in; increased support by health professionals for breastfeeding; decreased use of formula, glucose, and oxytocin; and decreased intervals between delivery and first breastfeed. Milk banks established in six Ministry of Health hospitals also helped support improvement in hospital practices. The working women's component is one of the first to examine the problems of breastfeeding in the workplace. The project held discussions with women in labor unions, conducted a training seminar for 21 women directors of major labor unions, and set up 90 working groups in factories. During a four-month period, visits were made to each of the groups to distribute information and hold discussions with members. It was found that the women were having difficulty breastfeeding because they lacked creches and facilities for pumping at the worksite. Information activities, implemented by PROLACMA, the local La Leche League affiliate, were also mostly successful. While the national mass media campaign was delayed and not coordinated with other components, regional campaigns were more successful. In Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, and Veraguas, local radio campaigns were developed in coordination with other regional activities, including the milk banks, and helped to support their operations. Overall, information on breastfeeding reached some 49,000 citizens.