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Lubis PN, Saputra M, Rabbani MW. A systematic review of the benefits of breastfeeding against postpartum depression in low-middle-income countries. J Ment Health 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38869015 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2024.2361232] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The positive impact of breastfeeding against postpartum depression has been increasingly reported. However, no studies have systematically and critically examined current evidence on breastfeeding practices' influences on postpartum depression in LMICs. AIM To review the influence of breastfeeding on postpartum depression in LMICs. METHODS We searched original research in English published over the last ten years (2012 - 2022) within 8 databases: EBSCOhost, EMBASE, Pubmed, Sage Journals, Science Direct, APA PsycArticles, Taylor & Francis, Google Scholar, and citation tracking. The risk of bias assessment used The Newcastle Ottawa Scale and The Modified Jadad Scale. We followed the PRISMA statement after the protocol had been registered on the PROSPERO. The review included 21 of 11015 articles. RESULTS Of 21 articles, 16 examined breastfeeding practices, 2 each investigated breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding education, and 1 each assessed breastfeeding attitude and breastfeeding support. 3 randomized control trials and 5 cohorts revealed that breastfeeding decreased the EPDS scores. However, 4 cross-sectional studies indicated that breastfeeding is nonsignificantly associated with postpartum depression. CONCLUSION This review indicated that breastfeeding may alleviate or prevent postpartum depression. Our findings indicated that integrating breastfeeding-related programs and policies into postpartum depression prevention may benefit public health. REGISTRATION PROSPERO (CRD42022315143).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maman Saputra
- Tulodo Organizations and Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia
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Chávez-Tostado M, Chávez-Tostado KV, Cervantes-Guevara G, Cervantes-Cardona G, Hernandez-Corona DM, González-Heredia T, Méndez-Del Villar M, Corona-Meraz FI, Guzmán-Ornelas MO, Barbosa-Camacho FJ, Álvarez-Villaseñor AS, Cervantes-Pérez E, Fuentes-Orozco C, Barrera-López NG, López-Bernal NE, González-Ojeda A. Breastfeeding Practices and Postpartum Depression in Mexican Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1330. [PMID: 37512141 PMCID: PMC10385480 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59071330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Background: Breastfeeding is a characteristic process of mammals that ensures delivery of an adequate nutritional supply to infants. It is the gold standard food source during an infant's first months of life. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, people in quarantine have experienced a wide range of feelings, which may make isolation challenging in terms of maternal health. This study focused on the prevalence of breastfeeding practices and postpartum depression (PPD) among Mexican women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 586 postpartum women who completed an online survey 4-8 weeks after delivery from April to December 2020 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The aim was to identify potentially depressed mothers according to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and describe their breastfeeding practices. Results: The mean maternal age was 30.4 ± 4.6 years, the mean EPDS score was 9.6 ± 5.0, and the PPD prevalence according EPDS scores was 27.1%. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was reported by 32.3% of mothers in the first 48 h and by 70.3% of mothers 48 h after delivery. EBF was associated with a lower prevalence of PPD during the first 48 h (p = 0.015) and after the first 48 h (p = 0.001) after delivery. Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) was reported by 385 (65.7%) mothers. PPD was less frequent in mothers practicing SSC (20.3%) than it was in those not practicing SSC (40.3%) (p = 0.001). A higher percentage of mothers practiced SSC breastfed (66.9%) and used EBF (150, 79.4%) (p = 0.012 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Results suggest that the pandemic emergency and restrictions imposed on the population significantly affected the well-being of mothers after birth, and that these effects may have posed risks to the mental health and emotional stability of postpartum mothers. Therefore, encouraging BF or EBF and SSC may improve or limit depressive symptoms in postpartum mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Chávez-Tostado
- Departamento de Reproducción, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44410, Mexico
| | | | - Gabino Cervantes-Guevara
- Departamento de Bienestar y Desarrollo Sustentable, Centro Universitario del Norte, Universidad de Guadalajara, Colotlán 46200, Mexico
| | - Guillermo Cervantes-Cardona
- Departamento de Disciplinas Filosóficas, Metodológicas e Instrumentales, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44410, Mexico
| | - Diana Mercedes Hernandez-Corona
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tonalá 45425, Mexico
| | - Tonatiuh González-Heredia
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tonalá 45425, Mexico
| | - Miriam Méndez-Del Villar
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tonalá 45425, Mexico
| | - Fernanda Isadora Corona-Meraz
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tonalá 45425, Mexico
| | - Milton Omar Guzmán-Ornelas
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, División de Ciencias de la Salud, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Tonalá 45425, Mexico
| | | | | | - Enrique Cervantes-Pérez
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
| | - Clotilde Fuentes-Orozco
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica 02, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
| | - Natalia Guadalupe Barrera-López
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica 02, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
| | - Noelia Esthela López-Bernal
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica 02, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
| | - Alejandro González-Ojeda
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica 02, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
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Segre LS, McCabe JE, Davila RC, Carter C, O'Hara MW, Arndt S. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Listening Visits for Mothers of Hospitalized Newborns. Nurs Res 2023; 72:229-235. [PMID: 36920154 PMCID: PMC10329483 DOI: 10.1097/nnr.0000000000000650] [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] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotional distress is frequently experienced by mothers whose newborns are hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Among these women, there is a critical need for emotional support conveniently delivered at the newborn's point of care by a trusted and medically knowledgeable professional: a NICU nurse. One promising way to enhance in situ delivery of emotional care is to have a NICU nurse provide Listening Visits (LVs), a brief support intervention developed expressly for delivery by nurses to depressed postpartum women. OBJECTIVES This trial assessed the feasibility of having NICU nurses deliver LVs to emotionally distressed mothers of hospitalized newborns and compared depression outcomes in a small sample of participants randomized to LVs or usual care (UC). METHODS In this pilot randomized controlled trial, emotionally distressed mothers of hospitalized newborns were randomized to receive up to six LVs from a NICU nurse or UC from a NICU social worker. To assess change in depression symptoms, women were invited to complete the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms-General Depression Scale at enrollment and 4 and 8 weeks post-enrollment. RESULTS Depression symptoms declined over time for both groups, with no difference between the two groups. A post hoc analysis of reliable change found higher rates of improvement at the 4-week assessment among recipients of LVs than UC. DISCUSSION NICU nurses successfully implemented LVs during this trial. Depression symptom scores did not significantly differ in the two groups posttreatment or at follow-up. Nevertheless, post hoc analyses indicated comparatively higher rates of clinical improvement immediately after LVs, suggesting the intervention can reduce maternal depression early on when women are most distressed.
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Prevalence of and factors associated with postnatal depression and anxiety among parents of preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2023; 322:235-248. [PMID: 36400151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with postpartum depression and anxiety among mothers and fathers of preterm infants and to examine the relationships between maternal and paternal symptoms. METHODS Six electronic databases were searched to identify eligible studies reporting parental depression and anxiety within 1 year postpartum. Data were extracted for a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted to analyze associations between study characteristics and prevalence estimates. RESULTS In total, 79 studies were included. The meta-analysis of studies on mothers generated estimates of prevalence for depression (29.2 %, 95 % CI, 21.8 %-37.9 %) and anxiety (37.7 %, 95 % CI, 24.1 %-53.6 %). The meta-analysis of fathers indicated a pooled depression prevalence of 17.4 % (95 % CI, 12.5 %-23.8 %) and an anxiety estimate of 18.3 % (95 % CI, 8.1 %-36.3 %). Assessment time points and methods as well as the geographic continent in which the study was conducted were significant moderators of depression and anxiety. Significant inter-correlations were found between mothers' and fathers' depression and anxiety symptoms (p < 0.05). LIMITATIONS Limited data from specific geographic continents, including Africa and Asia. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of depression and anxiety among preterm infants' parents was high, highlighting the need for early psychological screening and assessment. Further research is required to improve services that focus on parents' postpartum psychological needs in the family context.
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Levels and Determinants of Antenatal Breastfeeding Attitudes among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10020275. [PMID: 36832403 PMCID: PMC9954942 DOI: 10.3390/children10020275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Breastfeeding attitudes are strong predictors of breastfeeding behavior. Gaining a deeper understanding on the levels and determinants of antenatal breastfeeding attitudes is crucial. This cross-sectional study involved 124 pregnant women at a tertiary hospital in Hunan, China. A self-administered questionnaire, the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale, the Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Breastfeeding Knowledge Questionnaire were assessed during their first-trimester, second-trimester, and third-trimester hospital visit. Multiple linear regression was conducted to identify the determinants of breastfeeding attitudes. The participants reported neutral (56.39 ± 5.69) levels of breastfeeding attitudes. The determinants of antenatal breastfeeding attitudes were other family members' support for exclusive breastfeeding: moderate (β = 0.278, p < 0.05), depressive symptoms (β = -0.191, p < 0.05), and breastfeeding knowledge (β = 0.434, p < 0.001). The variables explained 33.9% (adjusted R2) of the total variation in breastfeeding attitudes scores (F = 4.507, p < 0.001). Namely, other family members' support for EBF was a negative influence on positive breastfeeding attitudes. The women whose other family members were moderate of EBF had more positive attitudes toward breastfeeding compared to those whose other family members were very supportive of EBF. The depressive symptoms were negatively associated with positive breastfeeding attitudes, and lower levels of depressive symptoms were associated with higher levels of positive breastfeeding attitudes among pregnant women. Additionally, breastfeeding knowledge was positively associated with positive breastfeeding attitudes. The more knowledgeable about breastfeeding, the more positive the attitude towards breastfeeding. Health professionals should identify these modifiable factors that may contribute to poorer breastfeeding attitudes, which is useful in targeting promotions of breastfeeding.
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Nuampa S, Patil CL, Prasong S, Kuesakul K, Sudphet M. Exploring the Association between Socioeconomic and Psychological Factors and Breastfeeding in the First Year of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:130. [PMID: 36612453 PMCID: PMC9819422 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010130] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Breastfeeding is essential for the survival, nutrition, and development of infants and young children. As a result of COVID-19’s effects of economic crises and psychological difficulties, breastfeeding outcomes have declined. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between socioeconomic and psychological factors with breastfeeding duration in the first year of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional online surveys (n = 390) were conducted between August and November 2021. The participants were women aged 15 years and above who had given birth within 6−12 months before data collection and delivered in public hospitals in the top three provinces with the worst COVID-19 outbreaks during the second wave in Thailand. The average breastfeeding duration in this study was 6.20 months (±2.5) with a range of 1−12 months. Of mothers, 44.9% continued to breastfeed until between 6 and 12 months of age. In a multiple regression analysis, family income (Beta = 0.112, t = 1.988, p < 0.05), breastfeeding intention (beta = 0.097, t = 2.142, p < 0.05), intended breastfeeding duration (beta = 0.391, t = 8.355, p < 0.05), intention to receive vaccination (beta =0.129, t = 2.720, p < 0.05), and anxiety (beta = 0.118, t = 2.237, p < 0.05) were associated with breastfeeding duration in the first year of life (F (7, 382) = 20.977, p < 0.05, R2 = 0.278, R2 Adjusted = 0.264). During COVID-19, psychological factors were more strongly associated with breastfeeding duration in the first year of life than socioeconomic factors. Healthcare providers should promote breastfeeding intention, motivate COVID-19 vaccination intention, and support mental health among lactating mothers, particularly in the event of a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasitara Nuampa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Crystal L. Patil
- Department of Human Development Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Sudhathai Prasong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Kornkanok Kuesakul
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Metpapha Sudphet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
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Chang Y, Li KMC, Chien L, Lee EY, Hong SA, Coca KP. Associations between breastfeeding intention, breastfeeding practices and post-natal depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-country cross-sectional study. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2022; 19:e13450. [PMID: 36349949 PMCID: PMC9749603 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Associations between breastfeeding intention, duration and post-natal depression (PND) have been shown in pre-COVID-19 studies. However, studies during COVID-19 have not examined the associations between breastfeeding intention, breastfeeding practices, and PND in an international sample of post-natal women, taking into consideration COVID-19 related factors. This is the first study to address this gap as both PND and breastfeeding may be affected by COVID-19, and have important long-term effects on women's and infant's health. A cross-sectional internet-based survey was conducted with 3253 post-natal women from five countries: Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom from July to November 2021. The results showed that women who intended to breastfeed during pregnancy had lower odds of having PND than women who did not intend to. Women who had no breastfeeding intention but actually breastfed had greater odds (AOR 1.75) of having PND than women who intended to breastfeed and actually breastfed. While there was no statistical significance in expressed breast milk feeding in multivariable logistic regression models, women who had shorter duration of breastfeeding directly on breast than they planned had greater odds (AOR 1.58) of having PND than those who breastfed longer than they planned even after adjusting for covariates including COVID-19-related variables. These findings suggested the importance of working with women on their breastfeeding intention. Tailored support is required to ensure women's breastfeeding needs are met and at the same time care for maternal mental health during and beyond the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan‐Shing Chang
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative CareKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Kan M. C. Li
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative CareKing's College LondonLondonUK,Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustEvelina London Children's HospitalLondonUK
| | - Li‐Yin Chien
- Institute of Community Health Care, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityYang‐Ming CampusTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Eun Y. Lee
- Department of NursingCatholic Kkottongnae UniversityCheongjuRepublic of Korea
| | - Seo A. Hong
- ASEAN Institute for Health DevelopmentMahidol UniversityNakhon PathomThailand,Institute for Health and SocietyHanyang UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Kelly P. Coca
- Department of Women's Health Nursing, Escola Paulista de EnfermagemUniversidade Federal de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
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Xiong Z, Zhou L, Chen J, Li M, Xie R. [Association between postpartum depression and concentrations of transforming growth factor-β in human colostrum: a nested cohort study]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2022; 42:1426-1430. [PMID: 36210718 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.09.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the association between postpartum depression (PPD) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) concentrations in human colostrum. METHODS Participants were recruited from a maternal and infant cohort established in a tertiary general hospital in Guangdong Province between December, 2020 and September, 2021. In the afternoon of the second postpartum day, the women were evaluated with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for screening PPD (defined as a score of 10 or higher). The women with PPD were matched at a 1:1 ratio with women without PPD with maternal age difference within 5 years and the same mode of delivery. Colostrum samples were collected in morning on the third postpartum day for measurement of TGF-β concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the association between EPDS scores and TGF-β concentrations was analyzed in the two groups. RESULTS A total of 90 women were included in the final analysis. The mean concentrations of TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 in the colostrum were 684.03 (321.22-859.25) pg/mL, 5116.50±1747.04 pg/mL and 147.84±48.68 pg/mL in women with PPD, respectively, as compared with 745.67 (596.00-964.22) pg/mL, 4912.40±1516.80 pg/mL, and 168.21±48.15 pg/mL in women without PPD, respectively. Compared with women without PPD, the women with PPD had significantly lower concentrations of TGF-β1 (P=0.026) and TGF-β3 (P=0.049) in the colostrum. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the EPDS scores were negatively associated with the concentrations of TGF-β1 (r=-0.23, P=0.03) and TGF-β3 (r=-0.25, P=0.02) in the colostrum. CONCLUSION PPD is associated with decreased concentrations of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 in human colostrum, suggesting the need of early PPD screening and interventions during pregnancy and the perinatal period to minimize the impact of PPD on human milk compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Xiong
- Department of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528244, China.,School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - L Zhou
- Department of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528244, China.,School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - J Chen
- Department of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528244, China.,School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - M Li
- Department of Obstetrics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528244, China
| | - R Xie
- Department of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528244, China
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Tayyem R, Al-Bayyari N, Al-Awwad N, Abuhijleh H, Hoteit R, Qasrawi R, Badran E, Basha A, Allehdan S, Boukari K, Arrish J, Seir RA, Hoteit M. Dietary intake and lifestyle practices of eastern mediterranean postpartum women before and during COVID-19 pandemic: An internet-based cross-sectional survey. Front Nutr 2022; 9:932418. [PMID: 36034906 PMCID: PMC9400898 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.932418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During the lockdown period, a substantial group of these women reported lifestyle changes. Aim The aim of the study is to characterize the dietary patterns, intake and the adherence to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) pregnancy guidelines before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern Mediterranean postartum women. Methods An internet-based cross-sectional survey was used to collect the data. The survey was carried out among 1,939 postpartum women from five countries from the Eastern Mediterranean region. Change in dietary intake from the five food groups and the adherence to USDA's daily recommendations were assessed. Findings There was a significant increase in the mean (SD) consumption of all the food groups, including bread, rice, and other cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products, white and red meat, and nuts during the pandemic. Around 84% of participants reported no/low adherence (0–2) to USDA guidelines, whereas only 15% reported moderate or high adherence (3–5) to the guidelines before the pandemic. However, there was an increase in the proportion of subjects reporting moderate/high adherence (22%) during the pandemic. Discussion and conclusions A substantial proportion of our study participants reported a lower dietary intake than the recommended amounts, and low adherence to the five food groups. Reasonable and applicable actions should be taken to protect postpartum women and their children from the effects of low dietary intake, particularly during pandemics and lockdowns. More researches are needed to identify the modifiable factors which could improve the nutritional status of the postpartum women during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reema Tayyem
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Nahla Al-Bayyari
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Al-Huson University College, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, Jordan
| | - Narmeen Al-Awwad
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Haya Abuhijleh
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Reem Hoteit
- Hariri School of Nursing, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Radwan Qasrawi
- Department of Computer Science, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine.,Department of Computer Engineering, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Eman Badran
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Asma Basha
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sabika Allehdan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Bahrain
| | - Khlood Boukari
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia.,National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Saudi FDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jamila Arrish
- National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Saudi FDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rania Abu Seir
- Department of Biomedical Technology, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
| | - Maha Hoteit
- Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,PHENOL Research Group (Public Health Nutrition program-Lebanon), Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
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