Centre for Family Health Initiative

MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN PREGNANCY

Monday Health Burst, WHO / cfhinitiative

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a hereditary blood disorder in which red blood cells, normally round and flexible, become rigid and shaped like a crescent or sickle. These abnormal cells can block blood flow, leading to pain crises, organ damage, and increased risk of complications. While SCD affects people at all stages of life, it poses unique challenges for women during pregnancy.

Pregnancy naturally places extra demands on a woman’s body, including increased blood volume and oxygen needs. For women with SCD, these changes can worsen complications, making both mother and baby more vulnerable. Some key risks include:

Maternal risks: Severe pain crises, anemia, preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy), infections, and increased likelihood of needing blood transfusions.
Fetal risks: Miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight, restricted growth in the womb, and stillbirth.

Despite the risks, many women with SCD go on to have successful pregnancies with proper medical care. Key aspects of management include:

Preconception Counseling: Women with SCD are encouraged to seek genetic counseling and medical advice before pregnancy to understand risks and available options.
Specialist Care: Antenatal care should be provided by a multidisciplinary team, including obstetricians, hematologists, and pediatricians.
Regular Monitoring: Frequent check-ups, blood tests, and ultrasound scans are essential to monitor maternal health and fetal growth.
Preventive Measures: Adequate hydration, folic acid supplementation, malaria prevention (in endemic areas), and vaccines against infections are critical.
Safe Delivery Planning: Mode of delivery (vaginal or caesarean section) should be carefully planned based on the mother’s condition, with access to emergency care and blood transfusion services.

Beyond medical care, social and emotional support is vital. Family and community members can help by ensuring women with SCD have access to balanced nutrition, rest, emotional encouragement, and timely hospital visits.

Sickle Cell Disease in pregnancy is a high-risk condition, but with early diagnosis, specialized medical care, and strong support systems, women can achieve safe pregnancies and healthy babies. Increasing awareness, improving access to quality healthcare, and reducing stigma remain crucial steps toward better outcomes for mothers living with SCD.

References:

Preconception Counseling: Checklist, Benefits & When It Occurs

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240109124?utm_source

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON LITERACY AS A SHIELD AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV)

Speak Wednesday / cfhinitiative

In a crowded community classroom in Gwagwalada, Aisha sat hunched over her exercise book. She was thirty-five, a mother of four, and had never finished primary school. The day she finally read a passage out loud, she broke down in tears. For the first time, she could read a hospital form without begging for help. She could text her sister to say, “I am not safe.” That is the quiet revolution of literacy.

In Nigeria, the literacy gap tells its own story of urgency and survival. Only about 52 percent of Nigerian women aged fifteen and above are literate, compared to 70 percent of men. Adult literacy enrolment for women still hovers under 50 percent. At the same time, one in three Nigerian women has experienced physical violence since age 15, most often by intimate partners.

These statistics are not unrelated. Literacy is a shield. A literate woman can read her rights, understand legal processes, and demand justice. She is better able to secure paid work, making her less dependent on an abuser. She can read health brochures, helpline numbers, and contracts. She can mobilize her peers. Without literacy, too many Nigerian women remain silent targets, unable to navigate systems that were already stacked against them.

Research consistently shows that literacy reduces women’s vulnerability to violence. In Nigeria, scholars confirm literacy is a “preventative force” against gender-based violence This is not just theory, it is lived reality in rural villages, IDP camps, and bustling cities.

What Must Change

The global fight against GBV cannot succeed if literacy is treated as an afterthought. Governments and international partners must deliberately embed literacy into GBV prevention and response frameworks. That means funding second-chance learning for women who were forced out of school. It means designing shelters, clinics, and police stations to provide information in simple, accessible formats. It means collecting and publishing disaggregated data that shows how literacy gaps map onto vulnerability to violence.

Equally important, literacy must be framed as a cultural and social good, not just an individual skill. Traditional leaders, faith communities, and grassroots organizers across Nigeria and beyond can reshape norms so that women’s literacy is understood as dignity itself.

A Call to Action

This agenda is at the heart of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality). But it also strengthens progress on Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) because literate women are better positioned to engage with governance and justice systems. Literacy is not a side project; it is a front-line intervention in the fight against gender inequality and violence.

When women can read, they resist silence, dependency, and abuse. They resist systems designed to keep them small. They resist by teaching their daughters to read and by demanding that their communities do better.

The stories may begin in Gwagwalada, but the message is universal: when she can read, she can resist. Literacy is liberation. Literacy is justice.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias

#SpeakWednesday #WhenSheReadsSheResists #LiteracyIsJustice #EndGBV #EducationForHer #CFHI

References
UNESCO: Female literacy rate in Nigeria (unesco.org)
NBS: Literacy statistics for women and men in Nigeria (nigerianstat.gov.ng)
UNFPA: GBV prevalence in Nigeria (nigeria.unfpa.org)
PMC: Literacy and domestic violence reduction (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
ResearchGate: Literacy as prevention of GBV in Nigeria (researchgate.net)

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON SICKLE CELL DISEASE: RISK FACTORS FOR DEATH

Monday Health Burst / cfhinitiative

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic disorders worldwide, affecting millions of people, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The condition alters the shape of red blood cells, making them rigid and sickle-like. These abnormal cells block blood flow, reduce oxygen supply, and break down faster than normal red cells. While advances in treatment have improved life expectancy, many individuals with SCD still face a heightened risk of premature death.

One of the leading causes of mortality in SCD is severe infection. Because the spleen gradually loses its function in filtering bacteria, individuals with SCD are highly vulnerable to life-threatening infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia.¹ Without timely vaccination, antibiotics, and medical attention, these infections remain a major cause of death, especially in children.

Another critical complication is acute chest syndrome, a sudden and severe condition marked by chest pain, cough, and difficulty in breathing. Often triggered by infection, fat embolism, or trapped sickled cells in the lungs, it is one of the deadliest complications and a frequent cause of hospitalization.

Stroke is also a significant risk factor. The blockage of blood vessels in the brain can lead to irreversible damage, disability, or even death. In children with SCD, the risk of stroke is several times higher than in the general population, and without early screening and preventive care, the consequences are often fatal.

In addition, severe anemia can develop when the body rapidly destroys sickled red blood cells. A sudden drop in hemoglobin levels caused by infections, splenic sequestration, or bone marrow suppression can quickly become life-threatening if blood transfusion is not available.

Over time, chronic damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart also increases the risk of death. Conditions like kidney failure and pulmonary hypertension are particularly common among adults living with SCD and often contribute to premature mortality.

Beyond medical complications, delayed diagnosis and poor access to healthcare remain critical challenges in many parts of the world. Children often die before SCD is even detected, while others lack access to lifesaving treatments like hydroxyurea, routine transfusion therapy, or emergency medical care. Poverty, malnutrition, and stigma further worsen outcomes.

Despite these risks, it is important to emphasize that SCD is not a death sentence. With early diagnosis, comprehensive medical care, preventive measures such as vaccination, and consistent treatment, individuals with SCD can live longer, healthier lives.²Expanding newborn screening, improving access to affordable treatment, and raising community awareness are crucial steps toward reducing preventable deaths.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/sickle-cell/complications/complications-of-scd-infection.html

Prevention and Treatment of SCD Complications | Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) | CDC

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON SICKLE CELL OVERVIEW: TYPES AND SYMPTOMS

Monday Health Burst, WHO / cfhinitiative

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited blood disorders, affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly in Africa, including Nigeria. It occurs when the body produces abnormal hemoglobin known as hemoglobin S which causes red blood cells to become rigid, sticky, and shaped like a sickle instead of being round and flexible. These sickle shaped cells can block blood flow, leading to pain and other complications.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 7.74 million people were living with sickle-cell disease globally, with 515,000 new births recorded, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for nearly 80% of global cases. Sickle-cell disease also contributes significantly to child mortality, causing 81,100 under-5 deaths in 2021, ranking as the 12th leading cause of death in this age group when considering the total mortality burden.

Types of Sickle Cell Disease

There are several forms of SCD, depending on the type of abnormal hemoglobin inherited:

HbSS (Sickle Cell Anemia): The most severe type, inherited when a person receives two sickle cell genes, one from each parent.
HbSC: Occurs when a person inherits one sickle cell gene and one gene for abnormal hemoglobin C. This type is usually less severe than HbSS but can still cause complications.
HbS Beta Thalassemia: Results from inheriting one sickle cell gene and one beta thalassemia gene. Severity depends on the form of thalassemia inherited.
Other rare types: Variations occur when the sickle cell gene is combined with other unusual hemoglobin mutations.

Common Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease

The symptoms of SCD often begin in early childhood and may vary in severity from person to person. They include:

Anemia: Caused by the rapid breakdown of sickle cells, leading to fatigue and weakness.
Pain Episodes (Crises): Sudden episodes of severe pain in the chest, abdomen, joints, or bones when sickle cells block blood flow.
Swelling: Especially in the hands and feet, due to poor circulation of blood caused by blocked blood vessels.
Frequent Infections: Sickle cells can damage the spleen, making individuals more prone to infections.
Delayed Growth and Puberty: Due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients reaching body tissues.
Vision Problems: Blocked blood vessels in the eye can lead to sight issues over time.

Prompt diagnosis and comprehensive care are pivotal in enhancing the lives of those with SCD, involving pain management, blood transfusions, medications, and, in severe cases, bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. Raising awareness and promoting early intervention are essential steps towards alleviating the burden of this disease on affected individuals and their families.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

Reference

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sickle-cell-disease

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF GBV ON MOTHER-INFANT ATTACHMENT

Speak Wednesday, WHO / cfhinitiative

She held her baby with trembling hands. Not from fear of motherhood, but from fear of a man. A man she once trusted. A man who turned her body into a battlefield.
This is not fiction. This is the everyday, hushed reality of thousands of Nigerian women living with the trauma of gender-based violence (GBV) and the invisible heartbreak it causes their children before they even learn how to speak.

When Violence Enters the Womb
In many Nigerian cultures, a pregnant woman is treated with care and reverence. But behind closed doors, some women are being battered while their unborn babies kick helplessly in the womb. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime and many of them are pregnant when it happens.
What happens when a baby’s first experience of the world is stress? What happens when a mother carries both her child and her trauma?
Research shows that when a pregnant woman is abused, her body floods with stress hormones like cortisol. These chemicals don’t stay with her, they cross the placenta and reach the baby, altering the way the child’s brain develops. That child may be born with a heightened sensitivity to stress, and a brain wired for fear.

The Silent Wound: Attachment and Survival
In healthy conditions, a mother and her infant develop a secure attachment, a bond of trust and comfort that shapes the child’s emotional foundation for life. But when a mother is surviving GBV, her own emotional resources are depleted. She may be physically present but emotionally unreachable. She’s in survival mode.
This isn’t a question of love. These mothers love their babies with every fibre of their being. But trauma changes the brain. A woman dealing with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression caused by abuse may struggle to read her baby’s cues. She might flinch at a cry. She might freeze during breastfeeding. Her touch may lack the warmth she desperately wants to give.
This emotional disconnect is called disrupted attachment, and it’s not the mother’s fault. It’s the consequence of living in fear. UNICEF link GBV to insecure mother-infant attachments, which increase the risk of behavioural problems, anxiety, and poor emotional regulation in children.

Breaking the Silence, Healing the Bond
This is not just a woman’s issue. This is a society issue. A society where women are unsafe is a society where childhoods are fractured before they begin. It is time to protect mothers so they can nurture, not just survive.

What We Must Do:
• Create safe reporting systems for pregnant women and mothers experiencing GBV.
• Train healthcare workers to screen for abuse during prenatal visits and provide trauma-informed care.
• Educate communities to stop victim-blaming and start protecting.
• Support shelters and psychosocial support services for survivors and their children.
• Involve men. This is not a woman’s fight alone. The cycle can’t break without male accountability.
Break the silence. Protect the mother. Save the child.
Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias
#SpeakWednesday #EndGBV #CFHI #MotherhoodInNigeria #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheCycle #ProtectMothers #TraumaHealing #AttachmentMatters #SayNoToViolence
References
• WHO: Violence Against Women
• APA: How Maternal Stress Affects Babies
• UNICEF: Why Secure Attachment Matters

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON RAISING VOICES, NOT VICTIMS: YOUTH LED ACTION AGAINST GENDER BIAS

Speak Wednesday / cfhinitiative

Gender bias is not an abstract issue. It is lived. It is spoken. It is enforced in homes, schools, workplaces, and policies. It silences girls. It restricts women. It excuses harm. And too often, it goes unchallenged.
But young people are challenging it. Boldly. Locally. Collectively.
Across communities, youth are stepping forward to lead work that others have delayed for too long. They are not waiting for perfect systems. They are building new ones. With peer education, advocacy, safe spaces, campaigns, and community engagement, they are confronting bias at its roots.

What Does Youth Led Action Look Like?
It looks like CFHI’s student-led D.R.E.A.M.S Clubs in JSS Jiwa, Kabusa, and Gosa, where adolescent girls learn about sexual and reproductive health, build confidence, and develop soft skills. Led by trained peer mentors, these clubs use drama, storytelling, and discussion to unpack gender stereotypes and empower girls to speak up, stay in school, and make informed choices about their futures.
It looks like a team of university students creating anonymous reporting tools for survivors of harassment on campus, tools that led their school to set up a proper response mechanism for the first time.
It looks like a grassroots initiative where young volunteers go door to door talking to families about early child marriage, using personal stories and translated flyers to challenge harmful norms in their own communities.
It looks like youth panels demanding accountability from state officials, calling out the lack of funding for gender-based violence shelters, and proposing policy alternatives based on what survivors need.
It looks like menstrual hygiene outreach in Abuja schools, where CFHI leads education sessions, distributes reusable sanitary pads, and breaks stigma, empowering girls to manage their health with dignity and confidence.
These are not theoretical solutions. They are working solutions. Led by young people. Adapted to their context. And rooted in both lived experience and collective action.

Why It Matters
Youth are not waiting for permission. They are stepping in where systems have failed, educating where schools stay silent, advocating where laws fall short, and creating safe spaces where none existed.
This is not charity. It is justice.
At CFHI, we believe youth-led action deserves more than applause. It demands funding, policy backing, and long-term investment.
Raising voices means listening. It means resourcing. It means seeing young people not as victims of gender bias but as frontline leaders in the fight to end it.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH: NURTURING BOTH MOTHER AND CHILD

Uncategorized / cfhinitiative

Breastfeeding is often described as the most natural way to feed a baby, providing essential nutrients and antibodies that protect infants from illness. Beyond its physical health benefits, breastfeeding is an emotional process that can significantly influence a mother’s mental well-being. However, while breastfeeding can be a source of comfort and connection, it can also present emotional challenges that affect a mother’s psychological health.

The Emotional Connection

Breastfeeding stimulates the release of hormones like oxytocin and prolactin, which promote relaxation, bonding, and a sense of fulfillment. Many mothers describe feeding time as a period of closeness that strengthens their connection with their babies. This hormonal and emotional bond can contribute to reduced stress levels and enhanced maternal confidence.

Challenges and Emotional Strain

Not every breastfeeding journey is smooth. Difficulties such as poor latching, low milk supply, engorgement, or mastitis can cause physical discomfort and emotional distress. Some mothers may feel guilt, shame, or inadequacy if they cannot breastfeed as planned. These feelings can be amplified by societal expectations, cultural pressures, and conflicting advice from healthcare providers or family members.

For mothers already at risk of postpartum depression or anxiety, breastfeeding difficulties can intensify symptoms. Lack of sleep, hormonal changes, and the overwhelming demands of caring for a newborn can create a perfect storm for mental health struggles.

Postpartum Depression and Breastfeeding

The relationship between breastfeeding and postpartum depression is complex. For some women, successful breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of depression due to increased oxytocin and emotional satisfaction. For others, persistent breastfeeding challenges can become a source of stress, increasing feelings of hopelessness and isolation. Recognizing these different experiences is essential to providing the right kind of support.

The Role of Support Systems

Maternal mental health during breastfeeding is best protected when mothers have strong support networks. Partners can share responsibilities such as burping, diaper changes, and household tasks, allowing the mother to rest. Family and friends can offer encouragement rather than criticism, while healthcare providers can provide evidence-based guidance tailored to the mother’s unique needs.

Peer support groups both in-person and online also give mothers a safe space to share experiences, learn practical tips, and feel understood.

Empowering Informed Choices

One of the most important steps in protecting maternal mental health is removing the pressure to breastfeed at all costs. While exclusive breastfeeding is highly recommended for the first six months, mothers who cannot or choose not to breastfeed should be supported without judgment. The ultimate goal is a healthy, thriving mother and baby and that can be achieved through different feeding approaches.

Breastfeeding is a journey that intertwines physical nourishment with emotional well-being. By acknowledging the mental health dimension of breastfeeding, society can move away from guilt-driven narratives and toward a culture of understanding and support. When a mother’s mental health is prioritized, she is better equipped to care for herself and her child fostering a healthier start to life for both.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) to tackle issues of basic health concerns. Join us every Monday for more health-related articles on all our social media platforms.

References

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON FEEDING THROUGH FEAR: HOW GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE UNDERMINES INFANT HEALTH

Uncategorized / cfhinitiative

“You can’t nourish from an empty cup, and you definitely can’t breastfeed through trauma.”
The right to nourishment is a fundamental human right. Yet, for millions of infants in Nigeria and around the world, that right is compromised from birth, not by poverty alone, but by violence inflicted on the very individuals tasked with nurturing them. As the world marks World Breastfeeding Week, it is imperative to confront a rarely addressed but devastating intersection: the relationship between gender-based violence (GBV) and infant health, particularly breastfeeding outcomes.

Breastfeeding is globally recognized as a cornerstone of infant survival and development. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), optimal breastfeeding could prevent over 823,000 child deaths annually across the globe. However, in households where women face psychological, physical, or sexual violence, the act of breastfeeding becomes compromised, interrupted, or entirely abandoned, placing infants at heightened risk of disease, malnutrition, and death.

Understanding Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria
In Nigeria, gender-based violence is a pervasive issue. According to the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 30% of Nigerian women aged 15–49 have experienced physical violence since age 15, and 9% experienced sexual violence. The figures are even higher in certain rural communities and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, where systemic poverty, displacement, and insecurity magnify the risks.

This violence is not limited to isolated acts of cruelty. It is embedded in socio-cultural systems that normalize women’s suffering and silence, even during vulnerable periods such as pregnancy and postpartum. These environments profoundly impact maternal mental health and consequently, infant care practices.
How Gender-Based Violence Impacts Breastfeeding
Numerous peer-reviewed studies affirm that women who experience GBV, especially during or immediately after pregnancy, are significantly less likely to initiate or continue breastfeeding.
1. Physiological Disruption of Lactation
The stress caused by violence increases cortisol levels, which can inhibit the production of oxytocin, a hormone essential for milk let-down. In essence, a mother’s body under chronic threat cannot perform its nurturing functions efficiently.
2. Mental Health Consequences
Women exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) are at increased risk of postpartum depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions are linked to early cessation of exclusive breastfeeding.
3. Limited Access to Healthcare
GBV survivors are often restricted in their mobility and decision-making, making them less likely to access maternal health services. This further reduces opportunities for lactation counseling or timely postnatal care, which are vital for breastfeeding success.
4. Physical Trauma
Injuries to the breasts or upper body from physical abuse can make breastfeeding painful or physically impossible. Moreover, repeated violence erodes a mother’s sense of bodily autonomy, which may deter her from engaging in breastfeeding altogether.
Impact on Infant Health
When mothers are unable to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, a practice strongly endorsed by WHO and UNICEF, the consequences for infants are profound:
• Increased risk of diarrhea, respiratory infections, and undernutrition.
• Higher likelihood of stunted growth and developmental delays.
• Elevated infant mortality, particularly in settings with limited access to safe alternatives.

In Nigeria, where 44% of children under five are stunted, the added burden of disrupted breastfeeding due to GBV further deepens a national child health crisis.
Sociocultural and Structural Drivers

In many Nigerian communities, cultural norms that promote male dominance and female submissiveness inhibit women’s ability to seek help or resist abuse. Violence is often dismissed as “discipline” or a private family affair. These norms are reinforced by:
• Patriarchal interpretations of religion
• Bride price systems that commodify women
• The stigmatization of divorced or single mothers
• Poor legal enforcement of existing protective laws, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) of 2015, which remains unadopted in several Nigerian states.
As a result, maternal silence becomes survival, even when that silence compromises infant health.
Recommendations: Multisectoral Action is Imperative
Addressing the impact of GBV on breastfeeding and infant health requires coordinated efforts across health, legal, and community systems. The following actions are recommended:

1. Integrate GBV Screening into Maternal and Child Health Services
Health workers at antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care points must be trained to screen for and respond to GBV sensitively and confidentially.
2. Strengthen Legal Protection and Enforcement
Full domestication and enforcement of the VAPP Act in all 36 states is non-negotiable. Legal systems must prioritize survivor protection, not the preservation of abusive family structures.
3. Community Education and Norms Change
Religious and traditional leaders must be engaged as advocates for safe motherhood. Community dialogues can play a key role in dismantling harmful gender norms.
4. Expand Access to Psychosocial Support
Psychological care, trauma counseling, and peer-support networks for survivors should be embedded within maternal health programs.
5. Data Collection and Research
More localized data is needed to map the intersection of GBV and breastfeeding outcomes in Nigeria. Without robust data, interventions risk being misaligned or underfunded.

Conclusion
Breastfeeding is not only a health practice; it is an act of nurturing, safety, and trust. When a mother is forced to feed through fear, we undermine not just her health but the health of the next generation. Ending GBV is not a side issue in public health; it is central to child survival, gender equity, and national development.
This week, as we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, we must reaffirm that the ability of Nigerian women to breastfeed in safety and dignity is a national imperative. Silence and cultural complicity can no longer be tolerated. The future of our children, indeed, of our nation, depends on it.
Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.
#WorldBreastfeedingWeek #EndGBV #InfantHealth #MaternalHealth #BreastfeedingMatters #SafeMotherhood #SupportSurvivors #NutritionJustice #HealthEquity #VAPPAct #WomensRights
References
• World Health Organization (2017). Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in facilities providing maternity and newborn services. https://www.who.int
• National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria] and ICF. (2019). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Abuja, Nigeria, and Rockville, Maryland, USA.
• UNICEF (2019). Programming Guidance: Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies. https://www.unicef.org
• Kendall-Tackett, K. A. (2007). Violence against women and the perinatal period: The impact of lifetime violence and abuse on pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 8(3), 344–353.
• Silverman, J.G., Decker, M.R., Reed, E., & Raj, A. (2006). Intimate partner violence around the time of pregnancy: Association with breastfeeding behavior. Journal of Women’s Health, 15(8), 934–940.
• Kumar, M., Huang, K., Othman, S., Rahman, M., & Lee, S. (2017). Effect of intimate partner violence on breastfeeding behavior: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 7:e014439.
• UNHCR (2021). Nigeria Factsheet – Gender-Based Violence. https://www.unhcr.org/ng
• World Health Organization (2021). Infant and Young Child Feeding. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING: WHY 6 MONTHS MATTERS.

Monday Health Burst / cfhinitiative

Breastfeeding is more than just a feeding method it’s a powerful tool for nurturing healthy babies and building stronger communities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, “infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health” (WHO & UNICEF, 2003)¹. But why is this six-month period so crucial?

What is Exclusive Breastfeeding?

Exclusive breastfeeding means giving a baby only breast milk, no water,²formula, or solid food for the first six months of life. The only exceptions are oral rehydration salts (ORS), drops, and syrups (vitamins, minerals, or medicines) when medically necessary.

Why the First 6 Months?

Optimal Nutrition
Breast milk contains the perfect mix of nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes tailored to meet a baby’s developmental needs. It changes in composition over time to keep up with the baby’s growing body. (UNICEF).²
Strong Immunity
Breast milk acts as a baby’s first vaccine, packed with antibodies that help fight off infections like diarrhea, pneumonia, and ear infections conditions that are among the leading causes of child mortality in low- and middle-income countries. (UNICEF USA). ³
Gut Health and Growth
Babies’ digestive systems are still developing. Breast milk is gentle and easily digestible. Introducing other foods too early can disrupt gut development and lead to food allergies or malnutrition. ((PAHO). ⁴
Protection Against Malnutrition and Obesity
Exclusive breastfeeding helps establish healthy growth patterns and reduces the risk of undernutrition, overweight, and obesity later in life.(WHO)⁵
Bonding and Emotional Development
The close skin-to-skin contact during breastfeeding enhances bonding, fosters emotional security, and supports brain development. (UNICEF Ghana). ⁶

Achieving six months of exclusive breastfeeding requires community support, including:

Maternity leave and breastfeeding-friendly workplaces
Support from health workers and peer counsellors.
Encouraging messages from family and communities
Access to skilled lactation counselling.

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months is not just a recommendation, it’s a lifesaving practice. It gives babies the healthiest start in life and strengthens maternal health.⁷ By supporting and empowering mothers to breastfeed exclusively, we invest in the health of the next generation.

The Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) consistently promoted exclusive breastfeeding through several targeted interventions. As part of its maternal and child health outreach, CFHI conducted antenatal and postnatal health education sessions in primary healthcare centers and communities, where pregnant and nursing mothers were sensitized on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for six months. During its Safe Motherhood campaigns, breastfeeding demonstrations and Q&A sessions were held to address common misconceptions, particularly in rural areas. In collaboration with traditional birth attendants and community volunteers, CFHI also distributed visual educational materials on infant feeding practices and supported breastfeeding mothers through home visits under its OVC program. These activities ensured that women received the encouragement and accurate information needed to exclusively breastfeed their infants, even in resource-limited settings.

References

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241562218
https://www.unicefusa.org/what-unicef-does/childrens-health/breastfeeding
https://www.unicef.cn/en/parenting-site/8-facts-on-breastfeeding
https://www.paho.org/en/enlace/exclusive-breastfeeding-infant-under-six-months-age
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
https://www.unicef.org/ghana/stories/6-ways-breastfeeding-boosts-childrens-future
https://www.unicef.org/nutrition/why-breastfeeding-best-babies

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON HEPATITIS B: SYMPTOMS, AND CAUSES

Monday Health Burst, WHO / cfhinitiative

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic diseases. Having chronic hepatitis B raises your risk of getting liver cancer, liver failure, or cirrhosis, which permanently scars the liver.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 254 million people were living with chronic Hepatitis B infection as of 2022, with approximately 1.2 million new cases occurring annually.

SYMPTOMS
Hepatitis B may occasionally go undetected without any obvious signs. This is common among children.Acute hepatitis B symptoms can start to show about 1 to 4 months after contact with the virus. Some of these symptoms include:
• Weakness and exhaustion
• Appetite loss
• Vomiting
• Jaundice
• Clay-colored stool
• The aching in one’s joints

CAUSES:
According to MayoClinic, the causes of Hepatitis B include:
• Sexual contact: It is possible to contract hepatitis B if one engages in unprotected sexual activity with an infected individual. The virus can be transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, semen, or vaginal secretions.
• Sharing of needles/Accidental needle sticks: HBV easily spreads through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood. Sharing IV drug paraphernalia puts one at high risk of hepatitis B.
• Mother to child: Pregnant women infected with HBV can pass the virus to their babies during childbirth. However, the newborn can be vaccinated to avoid getting infected in almost all cases. It is advisable to discuss with a healthcare provider the option of getting tested for hepatitis B if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

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