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. 1998 Apr 11;316(7138):1117-22.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.316.7138.1117.

Violations of the international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes: prevalence in four countries

A Taylor

Violations of the international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes: prevalence in four countries

A Taylor. BMJ. .

Abstract

PIP: This study estimated the prevalence of violations of the international code of marketing of substitutes for breast milk. Data were gathered via 1) multistage random sampling of a total of 1468 pregnant women and 1582 mothers of infants less than 6 months old at health facilities in Dhaka, Bangladesh; Warsaw, Poland; Durban, South Africa; and Bangkok, Thailand and 2) interviews with 466 health workers at 165 facilities. It was found that 26% of mothers in Bangkok received free samples of breast milk substitutes, infant formula, bottles, or nipples compared with 1/385 mothers in Dhaka. 8-50% of health facilities received free samples that were not being used for research or professional evaluation. 2-18% of health workers received gifts from companies involved in the manufacturing or distribution of breast milk substitutes. Information provided by companies that violated the code was available to staff in 15-56% of the health facilities. It was concluded that the simple methodology developed for this study is adequate for use by governments and nongovernmental organizations monitoring compliance with the code and that such monitoring is essential in light of the violations uncovered.

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Figures

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Figure
Calendar given to a health worker in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The code states that no material inducement to promote a product should be offered by manufacturers of breast milk substitutes to health workers
Figure
Figure
Calendar given to a health worker in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The code states that no material inducement to promote a product should be offered by manufacturers of breast milk substitutes to health workers
Figure
Figure
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References

    1. World Health Organisation. Infant and young child nutrition. Geneva: WHO; 1993. (EB93/17.)
    1. WHO. International code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes. Geneva: WHO; 1981. - PubMed
    1. Sokol E. The code handbook. Penang: International Code Documentation Centre; 1997.
    1. Baby Milk Action. Breaking the rules. Cambridge: Baby Milk Action; 1994.
    1. Collett D. Modelling binary data. London: Chapman and Hall; 1991.

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