Extending the Duration of Exclusive Breastfeeding in El Alto, Bolivia through a Community-based Approach and Provision of Health Services

The RFP-2 was awarded to an NGO, Comite Tecnico de Apoyo a la Lactancia Materna (COTALMA), the Technical Breastfeeding Support Committee of Bolivia. The intervention was carried out in El Alto, Bolivia, the project area of Corea Municipal Health Network, with approximate population of 187,000.

The study included capacity strengthening of the community heath workers, Manzaneras de la Salud and the healthcare providers on exclusive breastfeeding counseling, referral of pregnant women and children among other IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness) community components through training sessions and development of (training) manuals. The study conducted baseline study, monitored and later evaluated the intervention. The study report also documented the experiences of Manzaneras. The study began on August 2003 and was unexpectedly delayed due to political unrest, concerning the then president which started soon after. The project came to successful completion on April 2005.