Human Nutrition

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Browsing Human Nutrition by browse.metadata.advisor "Boatemaa, Sandra"

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    Achievements and challenges of facilities implementing human milk banks in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Kadir, Zaheeda; Daniels, Lynette; Boatemaa, Sandra; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Purpose: Human milk banks (HMB) (as a supporting mechanism) have a role to play in providing support to vulnerable infants to survive and thrive in the clinical setting. Human milk is better tolerated as it tends to reduce the length of stay in hospital and late onset sepsis, and decreases the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). With very few milk banks initiated and those that have been initiated struggling for sustainability, this research in the African context should assist in creating awareness of the importance of human milk banks (HMBs). The aim of the study was to analyse the activities of all human milk banks in KZN and to establish challenges and achievements between 2016 and 2019. Study Design: A longitudinal review study, with an analytical component, was conducted. Quarterly and annual reports from HMB in the KZN between 2016 and 2019 were used. Quantitative analysis on the performance indicators reported in the HMB reports and thematic analysis of achievements and challenges using the World Health Organization (WHO) system building blocks were used. Findings: A total of 91 reports were used in this study. New Donors increased from 264 in 2016 to 1 870 in 2019. A specialised facility was cited as having the largest number of infants receiving donor human milk, from 43 in 2016 to 194 in 2019. The amount of pasteurised milk transferred to other facilities was highest in 2016. The main achievement cited by the HMB reports was the increase in number of donors at district, regional, tertiary and specialised levels. The main challenge cited by the HMB reports was the lack of skilled HMB health workers. Conclusion: This study examined the activities of all human milk banks in KZN and established the challenges and achievements between 2016 and 2019. The various achievements such as acceptance of mothers donating human milk, assistance to other facilities that do not have an established HMB, and challenges such as lack of trained skilled staff, lack of consumables and non-functional equipment, should be considered. A national core model for implementation of HMB in South Africa will assist with a more standardised implementation of the HMB.