BMC Health Services Research · 5 authors, 5 centres
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A cross-sectional survey of 33 South African neonatal wards found a median compliance score of 77 with the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative for neonatal wards (Neo-BFHI). Public hospitals and those with BFHI accreditation showed higher compliance scores than private hospitals.
This cross-sectional survey assessed compliance with Neo-BFHI recommendations in 33 neonatal wards from public and private South African hospitals. Data were collected via a self-assessment questionnaire. The median national compliance score was 77. Public hospitals scored higher (median 85) than private hospitals (median 73). Wards in BFHI-accredited hospitals had higher compliance. The highest scores were for respecting mothers (100) and providing breastfeeding support (90), while scores were lowest for kangaroo mother care (71) and maternal-infant togetherness (58). Level 1 and 2 care facilities scored higher than level 3. The findings suggest BFHI accreditation is associated with better compliance, and strategies are needed to improve compliance, especially in private hospitals.
