Mapping the Functioning of the Baby-Friendly Community Initiative and Identifying Its Needs Within the Kenyan Health System

Abstract

The Kenyan government has adopted the baby-friendly community initiative (BFCI) to promote and support optimal maternal and child nutrition at the community level. The BFCI applies the principles of the baby-friendly hospital initiative by extending follow-up and care of mothers and children to the community. The BFCI is being implemented in some communities amidst some challenges and is in the process of being scaled up nationally. The objective of the study was to map and analyse the key factors that influence the functioning of the BFCI system in Kenya and to identify the system implementation needs. This report presents findings from the study.