The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Breast-feeding promotion in a diarrhoea programme in rural communities

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Davies-Adetugbo, A. A., K. Adetugbo, et al. (1997). "Breast-feeding promotion in a diarrhoea programme in rural communities." J Diarrhoeal Dis Res 15(3): 161-166.

Objective: Breast-feeding promotion is an important intervention for the control of infant diarrhoea. This study assesses the impact of a breast-feeding counselling programme on the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding in rural communities in Nigeria.

Methods: Mothers attending primary care facilities because their infants had acute diarrhoea were randomised into two groups. The study group (n = 82) received individual, focused breast-feeding counselling, while the controls (n = 79) had routine advice for diarrhoea. Both groups were monitored and followed with home visits to determine infant-feeding practices.

Results: The results showed marked increases in exclusive breast-feeding prevalence for the intervention group at day 7 (49% vs. 6% control; p < 0.0001) and day 21 (46% vs. 8%; p < 0.0001). Moreover, diarrhoea re-occurrence at day 21 was less in the intervention group (12%) than controls (18%).

Conclusion: It is concluded that focused breast-feeding counselling can increase exclusive breast feeding and reduce the prevalence of diarrhoea in rural communities.