Breastfeeding Practices During COVID 19 Pandemic In Field Practice Areas Of a Medical College in Bangalore- A mixed method Approach

Abstract

Context/Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has restricted the pregnant or lactating mothers to seek regular health care services due to which, there were lack of knowledge and family support, fear of transmission of infection to babies.

Aims/Objectives:

The objective is to deduce the practices, barriers and promoters for breastfeeding during the pandemic by mothers with children within 2 years

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study among 100 breastfeeding mothers (50 each in urban and rural) with children ≤ 2 years, enrolled in randomly selected Anganwadi centres in Bangalore were conducted, using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Focussed group discussions were conducted among participants to obtain data on barriers and promoters.

Results:

Among 100 participants, only 72% practiced exclusive breastfeeding, 70% initiated breastfeeding within 4 hours, 5% didn’t feed colostrum, 37% fed pre-lacteal feeds, 42%practised handwashing before lactating. Out of 15 COVID-19-positive mothers, 53.3% continued breastfeeding, 60% were separated from their babies. Lack of family support, healthcare inaccessibility, and lack of awareness on breastfeeding during pandemic were identified as the barriers, while good health-seeking behaviour and COVID-appropriate behaviour were the promoters.

Conclusions:

Though the proportion practicing EBF during pandemic peaked compared to NFHS-5 except in rural, there is an urgent need to bridge the “practice gap” of mothers from rural and lower socio-economic strata of the community.