Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Breastfeeding in Armenia
Name: Lotanna Ezenekwe
School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Class of 2024, Varmus Global Scholar 2021
Mentor: Kim Hekimian, PhD
Name: Helen Woolcock
School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Class of 2024, Varmus Global Scholar 2021
Mentor: Kim Hekimian, PhD
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on postpartum care and breastfeeding rates in Yerevan, Armenia and in New York City. Breastmilk provides optimal infant nutrition and benefits for mothers. Early in the pandemic, an absence of evidence on SARS-COV-2 transmission between mother-infant dyads informed ambiguous guidelines on postpartum care. In some settings, this increased barriers to breastfeeding, such as discouraging skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in or separating mothers and infants for long periods of time. We explored the experiences of healthcare providers in Armenia and New York from March 2020 to today to inform the development of further research proposals in this area. We conducted a literature review of COVID-19 postpartum care guidelines from March 2020 through today and how these new policies impacted breastfeeding practices globally. We spoke to stakeholders in New York City and in Armenia to inform the development of a research proposal. Finally, we developed health education materials with the most recent guidance on breastfeeding and COVID-19. Review of literature and conversations with stakeholders suggest that breastfeeding rates and duration may have decreased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic due to separation of infant-mother dyads, shorter length of stay, lack of breastfeeding support in hospitals and early confusion about the safety of breastfeeding. Education materials were developed reflecting current guidance supporting breastfeeding. Health education materials will be translated, pretested and distributed in Armenia. The research proposal aims to further explore experiences of Armenian healthcare providers and mothers as they relate to infant feeding practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.