Impact of the fear of Covid-19 infection on intent to breastfeed; a cross sectional survey of a perinatal population in Qatar

Abstract

Objectives Infection control measures during the Covid-19 pandemic have focused on limiting physical contact and decontamination by observing cleaning and hygiene rituals. Breastfeeding requires close physical contact and observance of hygienic measures like handwashing. Worries around contamination increase during the perinatal period and can be expressed as increase in obsessive compulsive symptoms. These symptoms have shown to impact breastfeeding rates. This study attempts to explore any relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic and perinatal obsessive–compulsive symptomatology and whether the Covid-19 pandemic has any impact on intent to breastfeed. Methods A cross sectional survey of perinatal women attending largest maternity centre in Qatar was carried out during the months of October to December 2020. Socio-demographic information, intent to breastfeed and information around obsessive compulsive thoughts around Covid-19 pandemic were collected using validated tools. Results 15.7% respondents report intent to not breastfeed. 21.4% respondents reported obsessive–compulsive symptoms. 77.3% respondents believed the biggest source of infection was from others while as only 12% of the respondents believed that the source of infection was through breastfeeding and 15.7% believed the vertical transmission as the main source of risk of transmission. Conclusions The rates of Obsessive–compulsive symptoms were increased and the rates of intent to breastfeed were decreased when compared with pre pandemic rates. The obsessive–compulsive symptoms and the intent to not breastfeed were significantly associated with fear of infection to the new-born. Obsessive–compulsive symptoms were not significantly correlated with intent to breastfeed and can be seen as adaptive strategies utilized by women to continue breastfeeding in the context of fear of infection.

Mapping breastfeeding and COVID‐19 related content and engagement on Facebook: Results from an online social listening study

“…8 On the 20th of December, women in the UK were advised to wait until they had stopped breastfeeding to have a vaccine, with health professionals expressing concern this could lead to early breastfeeding cessation. 9 Ten days later, on the 30th of December, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in the UK advised there was no known risk for breastfeeding women and that eligible breastfeeding women should be offered the Pfizer vaccination. 10 At the same time, the United States Food and Drug Administration was not issuing recommendations, but 'leaving open' the possibility of vaccination for breastfeeding women.…”

“…16,17 As data continued to emerge, mothers anecdotally reported confusion and frustration. 7 COVID-19 has negatively impacted on breastfeeding intention in some instances 9 and health professionals have expressed concern about the impact of COVID-19 on breastfeeding decision-making. 18…”

“…The UK was the first country to approve the Pfizer vaccine under an emergency‐use authorisation on 2 December 2020, 7 months after the start of clinical trials 8 . On the 20th of December, women in the UK were advised to wait until they had stopped breastfeeding to have a vaccine, with health professionals expressing concern this could lead to early breastfeeding cessation 9 . Ten days later, on the 30th of December, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in the UK advised there was no known risk for breastfeeding women and that eligible breastfeeding women should be offered the Pfizer vaccination 10 .…”

Actitud Durante la Lactancia Materna en Madres que Presentaron Covid-19 en un Centro de Salud

“…García y Fernández (2018) afirman que hubo una actitud predominantemente neutral hacia la LM (55%) seguida de una actitud positiva hacia la LM (45%), las actitudes ejercen un papel importante a la hora de brindar lactancia materna tanto a los recién nacidos como a lactantes, Reagu et al (2022) aseveran se ven reflejadas en las tasas de intención de amamantar disminuyeron en comparación con las tasas anteriores a la pandemia. Benancio M. (2022) al analizar el conocimiento sobre la lactancia materna, el pág.…”

The Effect of Knowledge Levels of Breastfeeding Mothers About the Disease on Their Levels of Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic Process

“…There may be a possibility that some information received from these sources may be inaccurate and/or misunderstood and concerns around transmission of the infection to their babies may potentially have a significant impact on breastfeeding mothers. Concerns about contamination may increase during breastfeeding, which can lead to increased anxiety levels ( 11 ). Anxiety is defined as an organic response, characterized by apprehension and increased surveillance in situations of uncertain danger or potential threats to the integrity of the organism.…”