|
Title: The Tasmanian Breastfeeding Coalition: Going from
Strength to Strength
Authors: Williams Julie1; *Maarseveen Jane2; Escott Ros3;
Howarth Helen4
Affiliation: On behalf of the Tasmanina Breastfeeding
Coalition. 1Community Nutrition Unit, Department of Health and
Human Services, Tasmania; 2Tasmanian Lactation College Inc.;
3Australian Breastfeeding Association and Baby Friendly
Hospital Initiative Tasmania; 4Pharmaceutical Society of
Tasmania.
Contact:
maarseveen@netspace.net.au *presenting author
Abstract:
Background
Until 1996, breastfeeding promotion in Tasmania was conducted
by individual groups in isolation and in an ad hoc way.
Aim
To increase the capacity for breastfeeding promotion by
establishing a coalition of stakeholder groups to enable cross
group communication, collective strategy planning,
implementation and evaluation of breastfeeding projects,
mobilising and sharing of resources, and collective advocacy.
Methods
The Coalition's development has progressed from an initial
meeting lead by the Community Nutrition Unit, DHHS through a
number of stages of development including actual project
planning, implementation and evaluation. To assess
sustainability, evaluation was undertaken to determine
coalition members' participation, satisfaction, and
perceptions on the coalition's usefulness and priorities for
future action.
Results
Assessment of stakeholder participation in the coalition
between 1996, 1999 and 2002 was made using Bjaras et al's
pentagram model5. Comparison illustrated the
increasing devolution of leadership, management, organisation,
resource mobilisation and needs identification from the
coalition developers (nutritionists) to the broader
membership. Since inception, the Coalition has secured
sponsorship and 6 funding grants to a total of $212,500
enabling implementation of 6 projects and 2 events.
Conclusion
The Tasmanian Breastfeeding Coalition demonstrates the
benefits of stakeholders working in a strong and sustainable
coalition to promote breastfeeding.
5 Bjaras G, Haglund J, Rifkin S. A new approach to
community participation assessment. Health Promotion
International, 1991.Vol 6, No.3, 199-206.
|
