Breastfeeding Practices and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy of Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study

Öz

Purpose: The research was conducted to examine the breastfeeding practices and breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Material and Methods: The research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Between February and April 2021, the data for the research was collected using electronic surveys produced with Google Forms. The study's sample consisted of 220 women who were contacted in this manner and met the study's inclusion criteria. Data was collected using a Data Collection Form and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (BSES). Results: The mothers' mean BSES score was found to be 49.84±12.12. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the mothers' state of being affected by the breastfeeding process during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the place where the baby slept during the breastfeeding period, and the mean scores of the BSES (p<0.05). It was found that 22.7% (50 mothers) of the mothers had COVID-19 infection during breastfeeding. 64% of these mothers continued to breastfeed their babies with a mask when they found out that they were Covid (+), 42.0% were afraid of the transmission of COVID-19 to their babies while breastfeeding, and 76% did not use medication and continued to breastfeed. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the use of a medication related to COVID-19 infection and the mean score of BSES (p<0.05). Conclusion: The pandemic has affected mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding behaviors, and the nutritional status of infants. Study findings highlight the importance of breastfeeding support during pandemics and other societal crises to protect maternal and infant health.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Breastfeeding
• Self-efficacy
• Postpartum
• COVID-19
• Pandemic

Kaynakça

1. Aşcı, Ö., Demirgöz Bal, M., Ergin, A. (2022). The breastfeeding experiences of COVID-19-positive women: A qualitative study in Turkey. Japan journal of nursing science, 19(1), e12453. https://doi.org/10.1111/jjns.12453
2. Asadi, L., Tabatabaei, R.S., Safinejad, H., Mohammadi, M. (2020). New Coronavirus (Covid-19) Management In Pregnancy And Childbirth. Arch Clin Infect Dis, 15(COVID-19),e102938. https://doi.org/10.5812/Archcid.102938
3. Aysan, A.F., Balcı, E., Karagöl, E.T., Kılıç, E., Gültekin, F., Şahin, F.,et al. (2020). Covid-19 Pandemic Assessment Report. Şeker M, Özer A, Tosun Z, Korkut C, Doğrul M, editors. Ankara: Turkish Academy of Sciences Publications, TÜBA Reports, 34.
4. Baud, D., Qi, X., Nielsen-Saines, K., Musso, D., Pomar, L., Favre, G. (2020). Real estimates of mortality following COVID-19 infection. The Lancet. Infectious diseases, 20(7), 773. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30195-X
5. Beheshti, M. A. Z., Alimoradi, Z., Bahrami, N., Allen, K. A., Lissack, K. (2022). Predictors of breastfeeding self-efficacy during the covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 28(5), 349–355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2021.08.012
6. Brown, A., Shenker, N. (2021). Experiences of breastfeeding during COVID‐19: Lessons for future practical and emotional support. Maternal & child nutrition, 17(1), e13088. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13088
7. Calil, V. M. L. T., Krebs, V. L. J., Carvalho, W. B. D. (2020). Guidance on breastfeeding during the Covid-19 pandemic. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira, 66(4), 541-546. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.66.4.541
8. Cascella, M., Rajnik, M., Aleem, A., Dulebohn, SC, Di Napoli R. ( 2020). Features, Evaluation, and Treatment of Coronavirus (COVID-19). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL); Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554776/

9. Chambers, C., Krogstad, P., Bertrand, K., Contreras, D., Tobin, N. H., Bode, L., & Aldrovandi, G. (2020). Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 in breastmilk from 18 infected women. JAMA, 324(13),1347-1348. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.15580
10. Cheema, R., Partridge, E., Kair, L. R., Kuhn-Riordon, K. M., Silva, A. I., Bettinelli, M. E., et al. (2020). Protecting breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. American journal of perinatology, 40(3), 260–266. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1714277
11. Chen, H., Guo, J., Wang, C., Wang, C., Luo, F., Yu, X, et al. (2020). Clinical characteristics and intrauterine vertical transmission potential of COVID-19 infection in nine pregnant women: a retrospective review of medical records. Lancet, 395(10226), 809–815. https://10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30360-3
12. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the social sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
13. Davanzo, R., Moro, G., Sandri, F., Agosti, M., Moretti, C., Mosca, F. (2020). Breastfeeding and coronavirus disease-2019: Ad interim indications of the Italian Society of Neonatology endorsed by the Union of European Neonatal & Perinatal Societies. Maternal & child nutrition, 16(3), e13010. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13010
14. De Rose, D. U., Piersigilli, F., Ronchetti, M. P., Santisi, A., Bersani, I., Dotta, A., Danhaive, O., Auriti, C., Study Group of Neonatal Infectious Diseases of The Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN) (2020). Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in newborns and infants: what we know so far. Italian journal of pediatrics, 46(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-020-0820-x
15. Dennis C.L. The breastfeeding self-efficacy scale: psychometric assessment of the short form. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2003;32(6):734–44.
16. Gümüşsoy, S., Çelik, N. A., Güner, Ö., Kıratlı, D., Atan, Ş. Ü., Kavlak, O. (2020). Investigation of the Relationship Between Maternal Attachment and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Affecting Factors in Turkish Sample. Journal of pediatric nursing, 54, e53–e60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2020.04.022
17. Hamidi, S., Ewing, R., Sabouri, S. (2020). Longitudinal analyses of the relationship between development density and the COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates: Early evidence from 1,165 metropolitan counties in the United States. Health & place, 64, 102378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102378
18. Hull, N., Kam, R. L., Gribble, K. D. (2020). Providing breastfeeding support during the COVID-19 pandemic: Concerns of mothers who contacted the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Breastfeeding Review, 28(3), 25-35.
19. Koskinen, K. S., Aho, A. L., Hannula, L., Kaunonen, M. (2014). Maternity hospital practices and breast feeding self-efficacy in Finnish primiparous and multiparous women during the immediate postpartum period. Midwifery, 30(4), 464-470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2013.05.003
20. La Course, S., John-Stewart, G., Adams Waldorf, K. M. (2020). Importance of inclusion of pregnant and breastfeeding women in COVID-19 therapeutic trials. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 71(15), 879-881. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa444
21. Latorre, G., Martinelli, D., Guida, P., Masi, E., De Benedictis, R., Maggio, L. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on exclusive breastfeeding in non-infected mothers. International Breastfeeding Journal, 16(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-021-00382-4
22. Lubbe, W., Botha, E., Niela-Vilen, H., Reimers, P. (2020). Breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic–a literature review for clinical practice. International breastfeeding journal, 15(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00319-3
23. Ngo, L. T. H., Chou, H. F., Gau, M. L., Liu, C. Y. (2019). Breastfeeding self-efficacy and related factors in postpartum Vietnamese women. Midwifery, 70, 84-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2018.12.014
24. Piankusol, C., Sirikul, W., Ongprasert, K., Siviroj, P. (2021). Factors Affecting Breastfeeding Practices under Lockdown during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8729. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168729
25. Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health. (2021, October 14). COVID-19 information page 23: Is the disease transmitted to her baby while breastfeeding from a mother with coronavirus? https://covid19.saglik.gov.tr/TR-75255/23-koronavirus-hastasi-anneden-emzirirken-bebegine-hastalik-bulasir-mi.html (in Turkish).
26. Tokat, M. A., Okumuş, H., Dennis, C. L. (2010). Translation and psychometric assessment of the Breast-feeding Self-Efficacy Scale—Short Form among pregnant and postnatal women in Turkey. Midwifery, 26(1), 101-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2008.04.002
27. UNICEF. Breastfeeding safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/breastfeeding-safely-during-covid-19-pandemic (access date: 01.11.2021)
28. Usta, D. Y., Teksin, Z. Ş. (2020). Biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics and patent evaluations of drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19: Current status in the development of generic drugs in Turkey. Gazi Medical Journal, 31(3A), 498– 509 (in Turkish).
29. Wang SS, Zhou X, Lin XG, Liu YY, Wu JL, Sharifu LM, et al. (2020). Experience of clinical management for pregnant women and newborns with novel coronavirus pneumonia in Tongji hospital. Current medical science, 40(2), 285–289. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-020-2174-4
30. WHO (2020). Breastfeeding advice during the COVID-19 outbreak. http://www.emro.who.int/noncommunicable-diseases/campaigns/breastfeeding-advice-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.html Access Date: November 30, 2020.
31. Zhu, H., Wang, L., Fang, C., Peng, S., Zhang, L., Chang, G., et al. (2020). Clinical analysis of 10 neonates born to mothers with 2019-nCoV pneumonia. Translational pediatrics, 9(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.21037/tp.2020.02.06