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Devi PU, Beake S, Chang YS. Women's views and experiences of breastfeeding during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A systematic review of qualitative evidence. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024:e13708. [PMID: 39120558 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic affected breastfeeding women in various ways. Understanding their experiences during the pandemic is crucial for informing actionable recommendations, evidence-based strategies and future policies to support breastfeeding during global pandemics. This review aimed to synthesise qualitative evidence on women's breastfeeding perceptions, experiences and support needs during the pandemic. The Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) guidelines on systematic reviews of qualitative evidence were followed. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science Core Collection databases were searched. Methodological quality of included papers was assessed using JBI's checklist for qualitative research. The synthesised findings were generated using JBI's meta-aggregation approach. The JBI ConQual process was used to rank each synthesised finding. Fifty-two papers were included. The synthesised findings included: (1) women's awareness and commitment to breastfeeding during the pandemic, (2) the multifaceted breastfeeding experiences of women during the pandemic, (3) breastfeeding practices and challenges for working women, (4) professional support during the pandemic: navigating breastfeeding in an evolving health care context and (5) family and peer support groups during the challenging times of the pandemic. Breastfeeding women require clear information, accessible in-person lactation support, family emotional support, food security and protection of psychological well-being. The review reported diverse breastfeeding experiences, from social support challenges to positive aspects like remote work. Breastfeeding support and lactation consultants should be considered as essential services in future pandemics. Food security is crucial for breastfeeding households. Lactation services could prioritise face-to-face consultations for physical challenges and providing online informational support. Future research could explore innovative breastfeeding education strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Uma Devi
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah Beake
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Yan-Shing Chang
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
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Ahmad H, Qureshi GS, Odeh LB, Annamma LM, Hossain A, Khan A, Haque S, Rasheed AK. Challenges of breastfeeding during COVID-19 and baby friendly protocols adopted at a maternity health center in the northern Emirates of UAE: a comprehensive review. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2024; 43:65. [PMID: 38745335 PMCID: PMC11092138 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-024-00544-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) has caused worldwide panic in the global population taking people's lives, creating fear, and affecting mother-child relationships. Many questions were raised on the dangers of being infected with COVID-19 for newborns and safety concerns during feeding by COVID-19-positive mothers. Moreover, questions and doubts about the safety of the administration of vaccinations for nursing mothers are still open. This review attempts to fill the existing literature gap by exploring concepts concerning COVID-19 and breastfeeding mothers, the safety of vaccinations, the beneficial effects of breastfeeding on both mother and child, important hygiene recommendations for SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers, and possible solutions to optimize breastfeeding and safety precautions amidst the fear of emergence of novel variants. METHODS All relevant publications from Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus search engines from December 2019 to October 2022 related to SARS-CoV-2, breastfeeding, COVID-19, lactating guidelines, and vaccination were included using 'Breastfeeding AND vaccine AND SARS-CoV-2' as MESH TERMS. Apart from the literature review, existing maternity protocols followed in Northern UAE were gathered from lactation consultants practicing in the UAE. RESULTS Out of 19,391 records generated, only 24 studies were analyzed and summarized in this exhaustive review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow chart. Previous studies suggest that breastmilk is predominantly the primary source of nutrition for neonates. Breast milk is a rich source of antibodies that help the baby to fight against infections including other benefits. Hygiene recommendations for suspected or confirmed COVID-19-infected mothers are required along with psychological and emotional support. CONCLUSIONS The administration of vaccinations should be advised and encouraged to protect the mothers with antibodies and the neonates by the passive transmission of antibodies through breast milk. This is a significant reason for not stopping breastfeeding even in case of COVID-19 infection. With adherence to proper hygiene methods, breastfeeding is recommended to be continued as the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Ahmad
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, RAK College of Medical Sciences, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University, 241, RAKMHSU Campus, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
- Microbiology and Molecular Division, NGS & COVID Laboratory, RAK Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
| | - Ghania Shehzad Qureshi
- RAK College of Medical Sciences, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
| | - Luma Bassam Odeh
- RAK College of Medical Sciences, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
| | - Lovely M Annamma
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE
| | - Ashfaque Hossain
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, RAK College of Medical Sciences, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University, 241, RAKMHSU Campus, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
| | - Azhar Khan
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Applied Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, India
| | - Shabirul Haque
- The Feinstein Institute of Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Aswan Kinan Rasheed
- International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, Al-Nakheel Public Health Clinic, Emirates Health Services, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
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Ashrafinia F, Chen H, Heydari O, Mirzaei M, Abdi F. The Importance of Personal and Familial Factors on Breastfeeding Intention and Practices, and Postpartum Distress during the Pandemic: A Longitudinal Observational Study. Matern Child Health J 2024; 28:513-523. [PMID: 37924418 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03813-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted pregnant and breastfeeding women. Both low- and high-risk groups adopted preventive approaches such as mask-wearing and handwashing to slow down and prevent viral transmission during critical periods that may affect mother-child interactions. METHODS A longitudinal observational study was conducted with primiparous women recruited using convenience sampling from the postpartum care ward of Afzalipour Teaching Hospital in Kerman from August 1, 2020 to March 30, 2021. The research questionnaires included demographic information, preventive behaviors, breastfeeding intention and practices, postpartum distress, and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. All the questionnaires were self-reported online in three stages: before discharge from the postpartum ward, the first month after delivery, and the third month after delivery. RESULTS A Total of 160 primiparous women were included. The results showed significant changes in preventive behaviors and postpartum distress levels during the study. Breastfeeding intention and practices were negatively affected by postpartum distress (P = 0.034), unwanted pregnancies (P = 0.009), and cesarean delivery (P < 0.001). Postpartum distress was directly affected by the presence of depression (P < 0.001). Preventive behaviors at discharge were significantly associated with postpartum distress three months after delivery (P = 0.013). The study also found an association between women's and partner's education, unwanted pregnancy, and cesarean delivery that determined postpartum distress. CONCLUSIONS Pandemic restrictions did not affect breastfeeding intentions or practices, possibly due to sufficient social and family support during the pandemic. However, robust guidelines are required to increase enable women's access to specializede care to cope with future pandemics, particularly during the first few weeks after childbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Ashrafinia
- Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Hui Chen
- Foetal Programming, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Omolbanin Heydari
- Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maryam Mirzaei
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Infertility, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Abdi
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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El-Gamel N, El-Nemer A. Assessment of knowledge and practices of exclusive breastfeeding among rural women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt: a cross sectional study. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:673. [PMID: 38110927 PMCID: PMC10729492 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02831-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worldwide exclusive breastfeeding is still recommended as a successful strategy even during the COVID -19 pandemic to lower infant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of exclusive breastfeeding among rural women during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at EL-Morabeen Family Medicine Center in rural Damietta, Egypt among 178 lactating women who were chosen by using the purposive sampling technique. A developed structured questionnaire consisting of four parts was used to gather data from March to May 2022. Univariate analysis for descriptive data and bivariate analysis through the chi-square test were performed. RESULTS The current study revealed that 73% of the studied rural women did not receive any breastfeeding counseling during antenatal visits and 61.2% of them believed that coronavirus was transmitted through breastmilk. Only 15.2% of them breastfed their infant exclusively for 6 months, 88.2% of mothers delayed breastfeeding initiation after delivery and 48.3% administered the prelacteal feeds. A total of 98.3% of rural women had never made skin-to-skin contact, and 79.2% of them had not been vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, a statistically significant association between good knowledge and practice with highly educated women aged 26-30 years, with a monthly income of 4000-6000 L.E was found. Furthermore, only 26.4% and 26.1% of rural women had good knowledge and practice scores respectively. CONCLUSION Suboptimal breastfeeding practices, such as delayed onset of breastfeeding, low percentages of exclusivity, early weaning, prelacteal feeding administration, and lack of skin-to-skin contact during the COVID -19 pandemic were prevalent among the studied rural mothers. Breastfeeding counseling for all pregnant women and implementation of evidence-based practices in the health care system, such as the early initiation of breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noura El-Gamel
- Woman' s Health and Midwifery Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Damietta, Egypt.
| | - Amina El-Nemer
- Woman' s Health and Midwifery Nursing ,Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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Pettoello-Mantovani M, Pop TL, Giardino I, Vural M, Ferrara P, Somekh E. Epidemiologic Changes Caused by the Preventive Measures for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: An Additional Challenge for Pediatricians. J Pediatr 2023; 252:225-226.e1. [PMID: 36228682 PMCID: PMC9550291 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Pettoello-Mantovani
- European Paediatric Association/Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (EPA/UNEPSA), Berlin, Germany; Association pour l'Activité et la Recherche Scìentifiques, Nouchatel, Switzerland; Italian Academy of Pediatrics, Milan, Italy.
| | - Tudor Lucian Pop
- European Paediatric Association/Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (EPA/UNEPSA), Berlin, Germany,Association pour l'Activité et la Recherche Scìentifiques, Nouchatel, Switzerland,Romania Society of Social Pediatrics, Cluj, Romania
| | - Ida Giardino
- Association pour l'Activité et la Recherche Scìentifiques, Nouchatel, Switzerland,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Mehmet Vural
- European Paediatric Association/Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (EPA/UNEPSA), Berlin, Germany,Association pour l'Activité et la Recherche Scìentifiques, Nouchatel, Switzerland,Turkish Pediatric Association, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Eli Somekh
- European Paediatric Association/Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations (EPA/UNEPSA), Berlin, Germany,Association pour l'Activité et la Recherche Scìentifiques, Nouchatel, Switzerland,Department of Pediatrics, Mayanei Hayeshuah Medical Center, Bnei Brak, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel,Israel Pediatric Society, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Harthi AM, Harthi AM, Hendy A. Effect of Training Program on Knowledge and Practice of Breast feeding Women During COVID-19. SAGE Open Nurs 2023; 9:23779608231167826. [PMID: 37020659 PMCID: PMC10068981 DOI: 10.1177/23779608231167826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Evaluate the effect of the training program on knowledge and practice of breastfeeding women during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods One-group pretest/post-test quasiexperimental research design was utilized to accomplish the aim of this study. The study was carried out at the primary health care units Ad Dar Al Baida 1, Ad Dar Al Baida 2, Al Aziziyah at Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia. The study included a convenience sample of 100 breastfeeding women. Tool A structured interviewing questionnaire sheet was used for data collection that included three parts knowledge, reported practice, and demographic characteristics. Results More than one-quarter (30%) and (28%) of studied women had satisfactory knowledge-related causes, risk factor and signs, symptoms of COVID-19 at preintervention, while the majority 85% and 86% of them had satisfactory knowledge postintervention at p-value <.01**. In addition, less than one-fifth (17%) and (16%) of studied women had satisfactory knowledge about Breastfeeding guidelines during COVID-19 and care of breastfeeding women during COVID-19, compared with most of them (89%) and (92%) postintervention at p-value <.01**. Conclusion Based on our current study, it was concluded that the educational program effectively improves breastfeeding women's knowledge and practices. There was a highly statistically significant positive linear correlation between the breastfeeding women's knowledge and reported practices regarding COVID-19 infection before and after the implementation of the educational program at p < .0.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abeer M. Harthi
- King Fahad Medical City Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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