Breastfeeding Experiences During the COVID-19 Lockdown in the United Kingdom: An Exploratory Study Into Maternal Opinions and Emotional States

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely impacted upon people’s psychological and physical wellbeing; however, the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on mothers of young children, with particular regard to breastfeeding, are unknown. Research Aims To explore: (1) Sources of advice and support available to breastfeeding mothers during and prior to the COVID-19 lockdown; (2) Mothers’ opinions on statements and recommendations made by the World Health Organization on the importance of breastfeeding and breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) Maternal emotional states (i.e., anxiety and depression symptoms) experienced by breastfeeding mothers during the COVID-19 lockdown; and (4) influence of breastfeeding duration and number of children on breastfeeding opinions and emotional states. Methods Mothers of children aged 0–36 months ( N = 4018) took part in an online survey. The survey included demographic questions, as well as the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire. Mothers were further probed on opinions regarding breastfeeding practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Participants strongly agreed with the importance of breastfeeding, even if a mother showed symptoms of COVID-19. Differences in opinions on breastfeeding practices (e.g., the use of donor human milk and relactation), were found between participants in relation to breastfeeding duration and number of children. Participants with more than one child showed higher negative emotional states, namely anxiety symptoms. Except for Internet usage, participants indicated a decline in all sources of advice and support for breastfeeding during the COVID-19 lockdown. Conclusions Health bodies and professionals should consider maternal viewpoints and opinions regarding breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions are urgently needed in order to support breastfeeding mothers and prevent the development of mental health issues.

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Experience of non-breastfeeding mothers

Nursing Ethics ◽

10.1177/0969733014561913 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 231-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jessica Nihlén Fahlquist

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Research Question ◽

World Health ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Qualitative Survey ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Ethics Guidelines ◽

Health Organization ◽

Research Ethics Guidelines

Background: Breastfeeding is currently strongly recommended by midwives and paediatricians, and the recommendations are based on documents provided by the World Health Organization and public health authorities worldwide. Research question: The underlying question is, how are non-breastfeeding mothers affected emotionally when informed that breastfeeding is the safest and healthiest option? Research design: The method used is an anonymous web-based qualitative survey exploring the narratives of non-breastfeeding mothers, published on Thesistools.com . The aim is to achieve qualitative knowledge about the emotions of non-breastfeeding mothers. Participants and research context: Participants were based in Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and were selected through a purposeful sample. Ethical considerations: The online survey anonymizes responses automatically, and all respondents had to tick a box agreeing to be quoted anonymously in scientific articles. The study conforms to research ethics guidelines. Findings: Respondents describe how they were affected, and the following themes emerged in studying their descriptions: depression, anxiety and pain, feeling failed as a mother and woman, loss of freedom/feeling trapped, relief and guilt. Discussion: The themes are discussed against the background of the ethics of care and a theory of ethically responsible risk communication. Conclusion: Three conclusions are made. First, the message should become more empathetic. Second, information should be given in an attentive dialogue. Third, information providers should evaluate effects in a more inclusive way.

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Children and young people with perinatal HIV in Europe: epidemiological situation in 2014 and implications for the future

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.10.30162 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (10) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

First Generation ◽

World Health ◽

Adult Care ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Perinatal Hiv ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Health Organization ◽

And Control

Accurate ascertainment of the number of children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is important to plan paediatric and adolescent health services. In Europe, the first generation of perinatally HIV-infected survivors are transferring to adult care and their health needs are unknown. We undertook an online survey of HIV cohort studies participating in the EuroCoord Network of Excellence to ascertain the number of perinatally HIV-infected (pHIV) patients included, to compare it with those published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and to assess the ability of countries to follow up pHIV patients after transfer to adult care. At the end of 2013, 16 countries in EuroCoord reported 8,229 pHIV patients in follow-up in cohorts, compared with 5,160 cumulative diagnoses reported by the ECDC in the same area. Follow-up of pHIV patients after transfer to adult care varied. It is likely that the number of diagnoses of perinatal HIV reported to ECDC is an underestimate, although this varies by country. Further work is needed to refine estimates and encourage follow-up in adult HIV cohorts to investigate long-term outcomes and improve the care of the next generation of children with HIV.

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The Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Taiwan: An Facebook Online study on Concern/Fear Regarding the Disease and General Anxiety and Relevant Factors (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.21165 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Peng-Wei Wang ◽

Wei-Hsin Lu ◽

Yi-Lung Chen ◽

Dian-Jeng Li ◽

Yu-Ping Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Health Resources ◽

World Health ◽

Regional Government ◽

General Anxiety ◽

Self Confidence ◽

Health Organization

BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a ‘public health emergency of international concern. Both worry and anxiety are the common psychological impact during the pandemic. The level of and determinants for worry and anxiety during COVID-19 are not well explored. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to explore the associations of demographic and environmental factors with worry toward COVID-19 and general anxiety among people in Taiwan. METHODS In total, 1970 respondents were recruited through a Facebook advertisement and completed an online survey on worry toward COVID-19, general anxiety during the pandemic, and individual and environmental factors. RESULTS In total, 51.7% and 43.4% of respondents reported high levels of worry toward COVID-19 and general anxiety, respectively. Worse self-rated mental health, lower self-confidence in COVID-19 management, and insufficient mental health resources were significantly associated with high levels of both worry toward COVID-19 and general anxiety. Lower perceived confidence in COVID-19 management by the regional government was significantly associated with a higher level of worry toward COVID-19. Lower perceived social support was significantly associated with a higher level of general anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that high levels of worry toward COVID-19 and general anxiety were prevalent during the disease outbreak. Multiple individual and environmental factors related to worry toward COVID-19 and general anxiety were identified. CLINICALTRIAL

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Breastfeeding Practices among Adolescent Mothers and Associated Factors in Bangladesh (2004–2014)

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13020557 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 557

Author(s):

Kingsley Agho ◽

Tahmeed Ahmed ◽

Catharine Fleming ◽

Mansi Dhami ◽

Chundung Miner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Mothers ◽

Antenatal Clinic ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Bottle Feeding ◽

World Health ◽

Demographic And Health Surveys ◽

Breastfeeding Initiation ◽

Breastfeeding Practices ◽

Health Organization ◽

At Home

Optimal breastfeeding practices among mothers have been proven to have health and economic benefits, but evidence on breastfeeding practices among adolescent mothers in Bangladesh is limited. Hence, this study aims to estimate breastfeeding indicators and factors associated with selected feeding practices. The sample included 2554 children aged 0–23 months of adolescent mothers aged 12–19 years from four Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys collected between 2004 and 2014. Breastfeeding indicators were estimated using World Health Organization (WHO) indicators. Selected feeding indicators were examined against potential confounding factors using univariate and multivariate analyses. Only 42.2% of adolescent mothers initiated breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, 53% exclusively breastfed their infants, predominant breastfeeding was 17.3%, and 15.7% bottle-fed their children. Parity (2–3 children), older infants, and adolescent mothers who made postnatal check-up after two days were associated with increased exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates. Adolescent mothers aged 12–18 years and who watched television were less likely to delay breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of birth. Adolescent mothers who delivered at home (adjusted OR = 2.63, 95% CI:1.86, 3.74) and made postnatal check-up after two days (adjusted OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.30) were significantly more likely to delay initiation breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. Adolescent mothers living in the Barisal region and who listened to the radio reported increased odds of predominant breastfeeding, and increased odds for bottle-feeding included male infants, infants aged 0–5 months, adolescent mothers who had eight or more antenatal clinic visits, and the highest wealth quintiles. In order for Bangladesh to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 3 by 2030, breastfeeding promotion programmes should discourage bottle-feeding among adolescent mothers from the richest households and promote early initiation of breastfeeding especially among adolescent mothers who delivered at home and had a late postnatal check-up after delivery.

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Comprehensive physiotherapy management in covid-19 – a narrative review

Scientia Medica ◽

10.15448/1980-6108.2020.1.38030 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 38030 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Deivendran Kalirathinam ◽

Raj Guruchandran ◽

Prabhakar Subramani

Keyword(s):

Narrative Review ◽

World Health ◽

Evidence Based ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Uk

The 2019 novel coronavirus officially named as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by the World Health Organization, has spread to more than 180 countries. The ongoing global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, spread to the United Kingdom (UK) in January 2020. Transmission within the UK was confirmed in February, leading to an epidemic with a rapid increase in cases in March. As on April 25- 2020, there have been 148,377 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK and 20,319 people with confirmed infection have died. Survival of critically ill patients is frequently associated with significant functional impairment and reduced health-related quality of life. Early physiotherapy and community rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients has recently been identified as an essential therapeutic tool and has become a crucial evidence-based component in the management of these patients. This comprehensive narrative review aims to describe recent progress in the application of physiotherapy management in COVID 19 patients. Assessment and evidence- based treatment of these patients should include prevention, reduction of adverse consequences in immobilization, and long-term impairment sequelae. A variety of techniques and modalities of early physiotherapy in intensive care unit are suggested by clinical research. They should be applied according to the stage of the disease, comorbidities, and patient’s level of cooperation.

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Sexual life during COVID-19

International Journal of Advanced Studies in Sexology - July - December 2020 ◽

10.46388/ijass.2020.13.34 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Cristian Delcea

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

World Health ◽

Sexual Life ◽

Good Relationship ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Strongly Connected ◽

Health Organization

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly around the world leading to massive changes in various areas. World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this disease a global pandemic in March 2020 causing a range of restrictions and global lockdown. Sexual behaviors have suffered change because of the virus transmission and governmental regulations for people to stay inside their homes. This paper addresses the quality of sexual life during lockdown in Romanian population. We discuss results from an online survey of 395 adults who were asked about their intimate lives, in terms of pornography consumption, solo masturbation and sexual intercourse. We also collected data regarding variables of a good relationship in order to see wether they have an influence over sexual life. We found that a good relationship is strongly connected to quality of sexual life. Our results also show that many people have solo masturbated (72,2%) and have consumed pornography materials (56,5%). Key words: sexual life, COVID-19, sexual behavior.

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BREASTFEEDING EXPERIENCES OF WORKING MOTHERS IN VIETNAM

Belitung Nursing Journal ◽

10.33546/bnj.454 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 279-286

Author(s):

Nguyen Thi Truong Xuan ◽

Nhan Thi Nguyen

Keyword(s):

Working Mothers ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

World Health ◽

Breastfeeding Support ◽

Breastfeeding Practices ◽

Optimal Health ◽

Returning To Work ◽

Need For Support ◽

Health Organization ◽

Depth Interviews

Background: World Health Organization recommends mothers all over the world should continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond to achieve optimal health, growth and development for their infants. However, the breastfeeding practices among working mothers have been decreased by the time passed.Objective: to describe the breastfeeding experiences of mothers who returned to work after childbirth.Methods: This study was utilized a qualitative design. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the participant who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected from 10 semi-structured in-depth interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The interview transcriptions were analyzed by using the qualitative content analysis approach.Results: The breastfeeding period of 10 working mothers ranging from 7 to 15 months. Five categories emerged from the data were: 1) Attitude towards breastfeeding, 2) Breastfeeding support during working, 3) Strategic plan for breastfeeding, 4) Psychological distress, and 5) A need for support facilities and resources for breastfeeding during working.Conclusion: This research provided a better understanding of breastfeeding experiences of working mothers in Vietnam. The findings can help nurses and other healthcare professionals in providing anticipatory guidance to mothers who plan to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.

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Evaluation of Emergency Medical Team Coordination Following the 2015 Nepal Earthquake

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2019.155 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Yosuke Takada ◽

Yasuhiro Otomo ◽

Khem Bahadur Karki

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

World Health ◽

Medical Team ◽

Team Coordination ◽

Emergency Medical Team ◽

Nepal Earthquake ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Health Organization

ABSTRACT Objectives: After the Nepal earthquake in 2015, for the first time, the Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell (EMTCC) was activated. This study aims to evaluate the emergency medical team (EMT) coordination in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquake in 2015. Methods: This is a retrospective study that (a) describes the coordination process in Nepal, and (b) reviews and analyzes the EMT database in Nepal to classify the EMTs based on the World Health Organization (WHO) EMT classification, an online survey for EMT coordination, and the Geographic Information System-analyzed EMT distribution. Results: We recorded 150 EMTs, which included 29 Type 1-Mobile, 71 Type 1-Fixed, 22 Type 2, 1 Type 3, and 27 specialist cell recorded EMTs including the military team. The EMTs were allocated based on the number of casualties in that area. The Type 1 EMTs were deployed around Type 2 EMTs. Conclusions: The EMT Classification is useful for the effective posting of EMTs. However, the method of onsite multi registration has room for improvement. The WHO should provide an opportunity for EMTCC training for better coordination of disasters.

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Psychopathological Symptoms and Gaming Motives in Disordered Gaming—A Psychometric Comparison between the WHO and APA Diagnostic Frameworks

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm8101691 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 1691 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Christian Montag ◽

Bruno Schivinski ◽

Rayna Sariyska ◽

Christopher Kannen ◽

Zsolt Demetrovics ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Attention Problems ◽

World Health ◽

Medical Attention ◽

Gaming Disorder ◽

Psychopathological Symptoms ◽

Diagnostic Framework ◽

Health Organization ◽

Official Recognition

Background: ‘Gaming Disorder’ (GD) has received increased medical attention and official recognition from both the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Although these two medical organizations have independently developed promising clinical diagnostic frameworks to assess disordered gaming, little is known about how these frameworks compare at different psychometric levels in terms of producing consistent outcomes in the assessment of GD. Methods: A sample of 1429 German gamers (Meanage = 29.74 years; SD = 12.37 years) completed an online survey including measures on different psychopathological symptoms (depression, loneliness and attention problems), gaming motives and disordered gaming according to the WHO and APA frameworks. Results: The findings suggest the existence of minor discrepancies in the estimation of prevalence rates of GD according among the two frameworks. Nevertheless, both diagnostic frameworks are fairly consistent in the psychometric prediction of GD in relation to gaming motives and psychopathological symptoms. The findings underscore the role of key gaming motives as risk factors and protective factors across both diagnostic frameworks. Finally, the study provides support for the WHO diagnostic framework for GD and its measurement with the German Gaming Disorder Test (GDT). The findings and their implications are further discussed in terms of clinical relevance.

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Assessing Breastfeeding Practices Objectively Using Stable Isotope Techniques

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1159/000503667 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 75 (2) ◽

pp. 109-113

Author(s):

Christine Slater ◽

Pernille Kaestel ◽

Lisa Houghton

Keyword(s):

Human Milk ◽

Compartmental Model ◽

Deuterium Oxide ◽

Population Level ◽

World Health ◽

Objective Method ◽

Breastfeeding Practices ◽

Nutritional Components ◽

Lactating Mothers ◽

Health Organization

An objective method of assessing breastfeeding practices is required to evaluate progress toward the World Health Organization Global Target 2025: to increase exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates in the first 6 months to at least 50% by 2025. Currently, assessment of EBF at the population level is based on mother or caregiver reporting, which risks recall and social desirability bias. A more objective method is the deuterium oxide dose to mother (DTM) technique, in which lactating mothers are given a small amount of deuterium-labeled water. The infant receives deuterium during breastfeeding, and a compartmental model is used to determine the amount of human milk consumed by the infant, and the exclusivity of breastfeeding practices. If the amount of human milk consumed by an infant is determined using the DTM technique and the concentration of nutritional components or potentially toxic contaminants is measured, then the infant’s intake of essential nutrients or environmental contaminants can be ascertained.

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