WBW 2013 Community Outreach in Bonamikano

By Helen Ayamba, Email: camlink99@gmail.com

WBW 2013 activities in Bonamikano were organized by the Women Gender and Development Council (COGESID). This is a community based organization situated in a typically Douala traditional health area. COGESID Bonamikano is one out of six women gender and development councils created eight years ago with a CIDA seed grant for gender promotion by Cameroon Link. The CBO has been involved in WBW activities since its creation. The health area stretches to the banks of River Wouri with a small population living in a nearby island. Social mobilization and sensitization was piloted by Emma Mouto Priscille, who heads the CBO and is a member of FECABPA. She was assisted by other members of the national network, Londo Lobe, Benaimou Carole and a supervisor from the regional delegation of public health. The population of Bonamikano co-habit with a relatively large moslem community and this called for sensitization of the mother in the French, Douala and Toupouri local languages. The facilitators shared advice on good practice and the advantages of breastfeeding, emphasizing the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery of a baby. Benaimou Carole talks about the physiological, economic and social impact breastfeeding has on a mother, family and the community as a whole. Water and other liquids were discouraged as part of the food of the baby before six months, because breastmilk contains enough water.

Answering questions on the number of times a baby needs to be breastfed, Priscille Mouto said, breastfeeding should on demand around the clock. Hygiene practice is very important and mothers were advised to wash their hands regularly before giving their breasts to their babies. Mothers were advised not to drink alcohol during breastfeeding, because it reduces the quality of breastmilk intake by the baby. A restitution of the educative talk by the mothers was organized and this permitted for distribution of T-shirts, exercise books and soap to all the participants. A family photo was taken to highlight the memories of the interactive session at Bonamikano.A member of ACMS used the opportunity to address the issue of family planning, adding that intensive practice of breastfeeding is also a method of contraception. Local language broadcasters attended the educative talk and used materials collected for animation of programmes in the Douala local language. 79 women and 6 men took part in the educative talk, social mobilization and sensitization campaign in Bonamikano.