Research Theme: Maternal & Child Health

Research Title: Evaluation of Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative programme in two hospitals designated “baby-friendly” in Kirkuk city, Iraq

Supervisors: Dr Dale Spence, Dr Richard Tubman, Professor Linda Johnston

Email: fakhergli@yahoo.com

Personal Bio

• Baghdad University / Iraq - BSc Nursing Sciences

• Hawler Medical University / Iraq - MSc paediatric nursing

• Assistant Lecturer in the College of Nursing / Kirkuk University / Iraq , since 2009, and received a scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Iraq, to get a PhD from Queen's University Belfast in 2014         

Project Summary

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in 1991. The BFHI is a global program to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers. The core components of the BFHI are the UNICEF/WHO Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which are designed to facilitate the role of the hospital/birthing center in providing women the choice and opportunity to breastfeed, regardless of the method of birth. The 2011 Report from UNICEF indicate a marked regression in breastfeeding in Iraq; with only three in 10 children are exclusively breastfed in the first month of life; and only one in 10 children are exclusively breastfed after three months of life. The outcome of this study is to extend the understanding of current compliance with the Ten Steps in the two BFHI- designated hospitals in Kirkuk city and develop recommendations with respect to clinical practices guidelines and health care professional education provision, facilitating adherence to globally acceptable standards of care for women and their babies.   

Conferences & Publications

1^st International Nursing Scientific conference, June 23-25, 2009, Iraq.  

Ahmad, F.A. and K.A.H., 2010. Assessment of Knowledge , Attitudes and Practices of Mothers who attending Primary Health Care centers in Kirkuk city Toward Oral Rehydration Therapy. , (2), p.2010.

Available at: http://hmu.edu.krd/Portals/0/Nazar/Nursing MSc.pdf