ICPHSP3002 

                                                                                                         

“Monitoring of the Albanian Breastfeeding Law for protecting mothers from the pressure of infant formula companies”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Click here to download Pdf file.

 

Authors:      

Hoxha(Qosja) Alketa MD, PhD, Dibra Mirela  MD, PhD,

               

Affiliations:

Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences, Tirana, Albania

 

 

Abstract:

 

Introduction Creating the enabling environment for breastfeeding requires among others strict enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes to protect mothers from the pressure of infant formula companies that interfere with optimal breastfeeding practices.

 

Aim The monitoring process of marketing practices of infant formulas and industrialized food for babies and young children, aimed at documenting the compliance of these marketing practices with the Albanian Law for the Promotion and Protection of Breastfeeding and the provisions of the International Code.

 

Methods Monitoring was carried out from August 2013 to October 2013 by a team of trained monitors in Tirana, Durres, Vlora, Kukes, Elbasani, Korca, Shkodra and Fier. Standard SIM questionnaires developed by IBFAN were used with adjustments according to the provisions of the Albanian Law.

 

Results Violations observed during this monitoring study are striking in their diversity and the degree to which the companies underrate or avoid the Law for the Promotion and Protection of Breastfeeding. Companies try to reach the mothers through health care personnel, which they use as a channel of communication, for the distribution of free samples to mothers and for increasing the formula sales. In 45 % of the cases, the start of the infant formula was recommended by the doctor, nurse or pharmacist

 

Conclusions Enforcement of the Albanian Law for protection and promotion of Breastfeeding requires a strong collaboration between health system, health inspectorate and food inspectorate.

 

Key words:

Breastfeeding, Albanian Law, Breast milk Substitutes, International Code of Marketing