Knowledge mobilization tool to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding during COVID-19

Abstract

Setting This knowledge mobilization project was conceptualized to increase awareness among breastfeeding mothers and the general public on safe infant feeding practices during the COVID-19 pandemic by addressing myths and misconceptions associated with breastfeeding practices, guiding breastfeeding mothers to make informed decisions around child feeding practices, and offering meaningful guidance in simple language through a short online animated video. Intervention This project was undertaken in four phases. During phase 1, an informal discussion was held with the breastfeeding mothers, service providers, and community partner in identifying issues surrounding lactation counselling facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. During phase 2, recommendations from 23 organizations with regard to breastfeeding during COVID-19 were reviewed and analyzed. During phase 3, using evidence from reliable sources, a 5-minute animated e-resource on breastfeeding during COVID-19 was conceptualized and developed. During phase 4, the e-resource was disseminated to the breastfeeding mothers, general public, post-secondary institutions, and organizations providing services to breastfeeding mothers in Canada. Outcomes This evidence-based e-resource facilitated addressing misconceptions around breastfeeding during COVID-19 and raising public awareness on safe infant feeding practices during this pandemic. Overall, the video was described as an informative, user-friendly, useful, and easily accessible resource by breastfeeding mothers who were in self-isolation with little access to healthcare services during the pandemic. Implications This project highlighted the importance of patient engagement and collaboration with the community partner in protecting breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. It further illustrated how informational e-resources can protect breastfeeding in situations where breastfeeding mothers' access to healthcare services is compromised.

Konseling Menyusui Berbasis Android terhadap Keberhasilan Asi Eksklusif di Masa Pandemi Covid-19

“…Dampak pandemi COVID-19 paling berat bagi ibu dan bayi karena kurangnya kesempatan mendapatkan layanan petugas kesehatan, tidak ada akses ke fasilitas konseling menyusui, berkembangnya hoaks yang tersebar liar melalui media sosial sehingga menimbulkan kesalahpahaman seputar menyusui selama pandemik. Hilangnya pendapatan keluarga dan stress yang terkait dengan masa depan yang tidak pasti semakin memperburuk keadaan (Hirani et al, 2021;Haiek et al, 2020;Lubbe et al, 2020). Dilaporkan juga bahwa di saat pandemi COVID-19 ibu bersalin usia remaja mengalami kecemasan tingkat sedang dan kurang mendapat dukungan keluarga dan akses pelayanan yang berkualitas saat bersalin (Padila et al, 2021).…”

“…Konseling melalui berbasis android dapat menjadi salah satu cara untuk mempromosikan, melindungi, dan mendukung praktik menyusui ibu, juga membantu ibu dalam pengambilan keputusan seputar menyusui. Beberapa penelitian menunjukkan kurangnya informasi yang mudah dipahami dan mudah diakses tentang menyusui selama COVID-19 menjadikan kebutuhan penting untuk menggalakkan, melindungi, dan mendukung ibu menyusui selama COVID-19 dengan memberikan layanan perawatan langsung dan tidak langsung kepada ibu dan bayi (Hirani et al, 2021;Piankusol et al,2021;Amatya et al, 2020).…”

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Breastfeeding Support Services and Women’s Experiences of Breastfeeding: A Review

“…Spatz et al 7 argued that the need to promote messages of breastfeeding is a lifesaving intervention and all families should have equal access to lactation education and practical support. Hirani et al 28 described innovative practices that highlight the importance of engagement and collaboration with community partners to protect breastfeeding during the pandemic. They developed an animated video on “Breastfeeding during COVID-19: An Information Guide” and described how an informational, evidence-based, user-friendly e-resource that shares knowledge on the benefits of breastfeeding can help sustain breastfeeding in areas where access to healthcare services is compromised.…”

Effect of Training Program on Knowledge and Practice of Breast feeding Women During COVID-19

“…In addition, the technical nature of the breastfeeding recommendations and inconsistencies in the early literature on breastfeeding contributed to a number of misconceptions about nursing throughout the epidemic. The lack of easy-to-understand, evidence-based, and accessible resources available on breastfeeding during COVID-19 suggested the crucial need to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding during COVID-19 through an education program with pre/post-assessment and using different illustrative and teaching methods ( Hirani et al, 2021 ). Moreover, Gebretsadik et al, 2022 implied that developing programs that enhance women's participation in education and decision-making could improve breast-feeding practice.…”