Policy Analysis - Assignment PDF
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Added on 2021-05-27
Policy Analysis - Assignment PDF
Added on 2021-05-27
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Running head: POLICY ANALYSIS1Policy AnalysisStudent’s NameInstitution
POLICY ANALYSIS2Policy AnalysisIntroductionBreastfeeding is considered as the most efficient way of feeding an infant primarily because of the health benefits that is associated with this practice. To the mother, breastfeeding promotes maternal recovery from childbirth, enhances mineralization of bones, accelerates weight loss, reduces risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer and also reduces risks of ovarian cancer (Walt et al, 2008). To the infant, breastfeeding has been associated with health benefits such as reduced illnesses, protection from respiratory infections, improved visual acuity, and high IQ scores amongst others. Breastfeeding is also a key factor in protecting the child from being overweight or becoming obese (NSW Department of Health, 2011). As such, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that infants be exclusively breastfed for up to six months and thence receive safe complimentary foods as supplement to breastfeeding for up to two years (Ogbo et al, 2016). Many countries around the world have taken up these recommendations and consequently increased their rates of breastfeeding. In Australia for example, the initiation rates of breastfeeding was estimated to be around 88% and in the state of New South Wales (NSW), 90% of all infants were found to have been breastfed. However, the sustained breastfeeding ratescontradict the high initiation rates in NSW. In this case, only 16% of infants were exclusively breastfed for six months while 29% were breastfed for at least 12 months (Wen et al, 2009). Therefore, the health department of NSW has strongly advocated for the need to focus and promote exclusive breastfeeding of infants for six months as well as extend the duration for breastfeeding for at least six months.
POLICY ANALYSIS3Reason for choosing policyOne of the primary reason that necessitated the need to choose this policy was the importance or rather the benefits that breastfeeding has on both the mother and the infant. Furthermore, breastfeeding is an extremely important public health issue which raises concerns for the mother as well as health professionals. For instance, health professionals are encouraged to refer to the risks of not breastfeeding rather than the benefits since breastfeeding is the most natural way of feeding infants. In such cases, evidences suggest that there are a myriad number of risks that arises to the infant if they are not breastfed among them including; prevalence of a number of chronic diseases, and increased gastrointestinal illnesses as well as respiratory infections (Amir & Hector, 2007). The policy is also sensitive in the sense that it brings to light the poor health outcomes that are associated with poor breastfeeding practices or alternatively the use of baby formula instead of breast milk. Most importantly, these poor health outcomes have often presented huge economic and social burdens to families comprising of the infants and their parents, and also to the health care system. On this note therefore, it becomes affirmative that these poor health outcomes contributes to some of the major health problems in Australia thereby exacerbating the issue of health burden. Summary of policy documentThe policy Breastfeeding in NSW: Promotion, Protection and Support aims to outline an action plan for enhancing the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding within the NSW health care system. In order to improve on the breastfeeding practices in NSW, these
POLICY ANALYSIS4actions have particularly been stipulated for the department of health as well as local health districts (NSW Department of Health, 2011). It is also noteworthy that the policy directive has been formulated in accordance with the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy that is led by the Australian Government and which primarily aims to increase the percentage of infants that are breastfed from birth to six months exclusively (Commonwealth of Australia, 2009). The policy also clarifies the different roles and responsibilities in order to foster coordinated efforts among a wide group of individuals constituted in various units such as local health networks, public health system and support, ministry of health, public health units and, public hospitals amongst others. In addition, the policy has identified a number of priority areas including; monitoring and surveillance, health professionals’ education and training, breastfeeding support for priority groups, support of breastfeeding in healthcare settings, breastfeeding friendly environments and, continuity of care and support networks (NSW Department of Health, 2011). Notably, these are the key areas that must be addressed by all the involved personnel. Policy AnalysisPolicy IssuesThis policy was developed in 2011 and is considered as the first comprehensive breastfeeding policy for NSW. The policy is mainly concerned with improving breastfeeding practices as well as demonstrating the state’s commitment to the national breastfeeding strategies. In this light, the policy was premised on four main considerations/issues including; thehealth benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers, the infant feeding guidelines for health
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