Social Support for Breastfeeding Practice During the COVID-19 Second Wave in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study
Issued Date
2023-05-01
Resource Type
ISSN
08903344
eISSN
15525732
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85150871822
Pubmed ID
36932858
Journal Title
Journal of Human Lactation
Volume
39
Issue
2
Start Page
206
End Page
216
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Human Lactation Vol.39 No.2 (2023) , 206-216
Suggested Citation
Nuampa S., Kuesakul K., Prasong S., Sudphet M. Social Support for Breastfeeding Practice During the COVID-19 Second Wave in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Human Lactation Vol.39 No.2 (2023) , 206-216. 216. doi:10.1177/08903344231156441 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/82051
Title
Social Support for Breastfeeding Practice During the COVID-19 Second Wave in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Since December 2020, the second wave of COVID-19 in Thailand has had a considerable impact, and mothers have struggled to receive breastfeeding support in hospitals. In this situation, there has been limited research that addresses social support for breastfeeding and the influences of support in determining breastfeeding outcomes. Research Aims: (1) To describe the influence of COVID-19 on social support for breastfeeding and breastfeeding practices in the Thai context, and (2) to examine breastfeeding duration with different levels of social support from families and healthcare providers. Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional online survey design was part of a larger multi-methods project about breastfeeding behaviors and experiences among postpartum mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online questionnaires were administered from August to November 2021 to participants (N = 390) who were from three provinces in Thailand and had given birth 6–12 months prior to the survey. Results: Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was observed in less than half of the participants (n = 146, 37.4%). Perceptions of breastfeeding support were generally high overall among both family (Mdn = 45, IQR = 7) and healthcare providers (Mdn = 43, IQR = 7). Participants who perceived more breastfeeding support from families than the median had significantly longer exclusive breastfeeding durations than those who perceived less breastfeeding support than the median (z = −2.246, p =.025). The same pattern was present for breastfeeding support from healthcare providers (z = −2.380, p = 0.017). Conclusions: While the exclusive breastfeeding rate was better than the pre-pandemic rate, successful breastfeeding was more common when participants perceived that they had received breastfeeding support. Policymakers should execute breastfeeding support systems along with COVID-19 management.