BACKGROUND The total neonatal mortality in Tanzania remains high reaching as much as 44,900 deaths per year, particularly among low birthweight (LBW) babies. This makes Tanzania the fourth African country with the highest number of annual neonatal deaths. Studies have shown the advantages of breast milk for LBW babies and the effectiveness of interventions from healthcare workers (HCWs) to encourage mothers to achieve exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Although these interventions can substantially reduce mortality in this vulnerable group, they remain insufficient in practice particularly in resource-limited countries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish the most appropriate interventions for mothers with LBW babies, particularly in these countries. To help address this need, we evaluated the breastfeeding care and education given to mothers with LBW babies by HCWs during hospitalization in Tanzania. METHODS A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with mothers of LBW babies at an urban hospital in Tanzania was conducted. We assessed their understanding of breastfeeding at discharge. All the interviews were conducted in local Swahili and then translated to English. Data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS Among the 19 mothers interviewed, only four breastfed their baby within an hour after birth. Nine mothers received no support from HCWs when they breastfeed their baby for the first time. Ten mothers received no education on EBF, and there were mothers who misunderstood the EBF definition. Eight answered that they had difficulty breastfeeding their baby at discharge. Four mothers were dissatisfied with the care and education given by HCWs, and six mothers provided suggestions for improvements. Although six mothers had a high reliance on HCWs, they had difficulty asking HCWs questions because of their authoritative attitude and behavior. CONCLUSIONS Mothers with LBW babies need special support to increase their ability to breastfeed and ensure EBF continuance. To address the gaps between the currently provided breastfeeding interventions and the ideal breastfeeding interventions, improvements in the quality and quantity of breastfeeding care and education are required. Training HCWs to systematize standard interventions, confirming mothers' understanding, and ensuring a comfortable environment for mothers are absolutely needed.

中文翻译：

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坦桑尼亚城市医院医护人员对低体重婴儿母亲的母乳喂养护理和教育评估：一项定性研究。

背景技术坦桑尼亚的新生儿总死亡率仍然很高，每年有多达44,900例死亡，特别是在低出生体重（LBW）的婴儿中。这使坦桑尼亚成为年度新生儿死亡人数最多的第四个非洲国家。研究表明，母乳喂养对于低出生体重的婴儿具有优势，医护人员（HCW）采取干预措施来鼓励母亲实现纯母乳喂养（EBF）的有效性。尽管这些干预措施可以大大降低这一弱势群体的死亡率，但在实践中尤其是在资源有限的国家，它们仍然不足。因此，迫切需要为低出生体重婴儿的母亲建立最适当的干预措施，尤其是在这些国家。为了帮助解决这一需求，我们评估了在坦桑尼亚住院期间，医护人员为低出生体重婴儿提供的母乳喂养护理和教育。方法对坦桑尼亚一家城市医院的LBW婴儿的母亲进行半结构化访谈，进行了定性研究。我们评估了他们对出院时母乳喂养的理解。所有采访都在当地的斯瓦希里语进行，然后翻译成英文。使用内容分析来分析数据。结果在接受采访的19位母亲中，只有四个在出生后一个小时内母乳喂养婴儿。九名母亲初次母乳喂养时没有得到医护工作者的支持。十位母亲没有接受过EBF的教育，还有一些母亲对EBF的定义有误解。八个回答说，他们出院时难以母乳喂养婴儿。四名母亲对医护工作者的照顾和教育不满意，六名母亲提出了改善的建议。尽管有六位母亲非常依赖医护人员，但由于她们的权威态度和行为，他们很难向医护人员提出问题。结论LBW婴儿的母亲需要特殊支持，以增加其母乳喂养能力并确保EBF持续性。为了解决当前提供的母乳喂养干预措施与理想的母乳喂养干预措施之间的差距，需要提高母乳喂养护理和教育的质量和数量。绝对需要对医务工作者进行培训，使其系统化标准干预措施，确认母亲的理解并确保为母亲提供舒适的环境。六位母亲提供了改善建议。尽管有六位母亲非常依赖医护人员，但由于她们的权威态度和行为，他们很难向医护人员提出问题。结论LBW婴儿的母亲需要特殊支持，以增加其母乳喂养能力并确保EBF持续性。为了解决当前提供的母乳喂养干预措施与理想的母乳喂养干预措施之间的差距，需要提高母乳喂养护理和教育的质量和数量。绝对需要对医务工作者进行培训，使其系统化标准干预措施，确认母亲的理解并确保为母亲提供舒适的环境。六位母亲提供了改善建议。尽管有六位母亲非常依赖医护人员，但由于她们的权威态度和行为，他们很难向医护人员提出问题。结论LBW婴儿的母亲需要特殊支持，以增加其母乳喂养能力并确保EBF持续性。为了解决当前提供的母乳喂养干预措施与理想的母乳喂养干预措施之间的差距，需要改善母乳喂养护理和教育的质量和数量。绝对需要对医务工作者进行培训，使其系统化标准干预措施，确认母亲的理解并确保为母亲提供舒适的环境。由于他们的权威态度和行为，他们很难向医护工作者提出问题。结论LBW婴儿的母亲需要特殊支持，以增加其母乳喂养能力并确保EBF持续性。为了解决当前提供的母乳喂养干预措施与理想的母乳喂养干预措施之间的差距，需要提高母乳喂养护理和教育的质量和数量。绝对需要对医务工作者进行培训，使其系统化标准干预措施，确认母亲的理解并确保为母亲提供舒适的环境。由于他们的权威态度和行为，他们很难向医护工作者提出问题。结论LBW婴儿的母亲需要特殊支持，以增加其母乳喂养能力并确保EBF持续性。为了解决当前提供的母乳喂养干预措施与理想的母乳喂养干预措施之间的差距，需要提高母乳喂养护理和教育的质量和数量。绝对需要对医务工作者进行培训，使其系统化标准干预措施，确认母亲的理解并确保为母亲提供舒适的环境。为了解决当前提供的母乳喂养干预措施与理想的母乳喂养干预措施之间的差距，需要提高母乳喂养护理和教育的质量和数量。绝对需要对医务工作者进行培训，使其系统化标准干预措施，确认母亲的理解并确保为母亲提供舒适的环境。为了解决当前提供的母乳喂养干预措施与理想的母乳喂养干预措施之间的差距，需要改善母乳喂养护理和教育的质量和数量。绝对需要对医务工作者进行培训，使其系统化标准干预措施，确认母亲的理解并确保为母亲提供舒适的环境。