Social value of maintaining baby-friendly hospital initiative accreditation in Australia: case study

Abstract Background Breastfeeding has positive impacts on the health, environment, and economic wealth of families countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in 1991 as a global program to incentivize maternity services implement Ten Steps Successful (Ten Steps). These were developed ensure that remove barriers for mothers successfully initiate breastfeeding continue through referral community support after hospital discharge. While more than three four births Australia take place public hospitals, 2020 only 26% Australian hospitals BFHI-accredited. So what is social return investing BFHI accreditation Australia, does it accreditation? This study aimed examine value maintaining one unit using Social Return Investment (SROI) framework. novel method was 2000 measures social, environmental outcomes change monetary values. Method non-experimental conducted Calvary Public Hospital, Canberra, an BFHI-accredited with around 1000 annually. facility provided opportunity illustrate costs relatively affluent urban population. Stakeholders considered within scope mother-baby dyad facility. We interviewed hospital’s Director Maternity Services Clinical Midwifery Educator, guided by structured questionnaire, which examined cost (financial, time other resources) benefits each Steps. Analysis informed framework, consists mapping stakeholders, identifying valuing outcomes, establishing impact, calculating ratio conducting sensitivity analysis. information supplemented micro costing studies from literature measure BFHI. Results this calculated be AU$ 1,375,050. total investment required 24,433 per year. Therefore, SROI approximately 55:1 (sensitivity analysis: 16–112), meant every AU$1 invested maternal newborn care generated AU$55 benefit. Conclusions Scaled up nationally, could provide important health system national economy. In hospital, produced greater investment, providing new evidence its effectiveness gains intervention. Our findings tool calculate rate return, indicate BHFI wellbeing families, communities economy, well equity.