Breastfeeding knowledge of mothers in protracted crises: the Gaza strip example
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Abstract
Abstract Background: The protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding is the most effective intervention to prevent child morbidity and mortality in all contexts. During the Palestine-Israel conflict that started in the middle of the 20th century, healthcare services are understaffed and lack basic resources, with frequent power cuts and stock-outs of essential drugs and equipment. This case study seeks to answer the questions: (1) How does the protracted crisis in Gaza affect the breastfeeding practices of the most vulnerable population; and (2) What is the role that midwives can play in improving breastfeeding practices?A mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) study was used to collect data. A total of 1044 respondents had a child less than 24 months at the time of the study. A total of 62.75 percent practice early initiation of breastfeeding and 42 percent confirmed that their new-borns were given liquids other than breast milk during the first three days of life. Fifty percent of mothers addressed breast milk insufficiency by drinking additional fluids and 40 percent by using infant formula. Discussion:This study confirms the need to a) implement the IYCF-E operational guidance in the Gaza strip and b) review the pre-service and in-service training for midwives. For vulnerable populations in humanitarian contexts, the impact of this cannot be underestimated. Conducting research in humanitarian settings is particularly challenging. Our experience included integration and linkage with international organizations security officers on the ground, co-ordination of activities with authorities and communities, regular supportive supervision during data collection, allocation of buffer days and geographical areas and in-country and remote assistance to data collection teams Conclusions:This research focuses on a protracted emergency in insecure populated areas. The unpredictable security situation meant that the team adopted a flexible approach during data collection. Lessons learned throughout this process include the importance of a) allocating additional research time, to account for potential interruption b) daily coordination with security officers to ensure safe access to localities c) identification of extra sites, in case escalation of conflict d) training of additional enumerators in case conflict escalation e) negotiation with authorities to ensure compliance with requirements.
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In the Gaza strip, 42% of surveyed women confirmed that their newborns received liquids (other than breast milk) in the first 3 days of life.
“Similar in the Gaza strip, where 42% of surveyed women confirmed that their newborns received liquids (other than breast milk) in the first 3 days of life.35”
From A systematic review of newborn health interventions in humanitarian settings (2022) · cites this paper as [35]
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A systematic review of newborn health interventions in humanitarian settings
Rodo, M., Duclos, D., DeJong, J., Akik, C., & Singh, N. S. (2022) · BMJ Global Health · doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009082 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
- Authors
- Iellamo, A., Monaghan, E., Moghany, S. A. L., Latham, J., & Nassereddin, N.
- Affiliations
- Save the Children (GB)
- World Food Programme (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Iellamo, Alessandro
- ORCID
- Iellamo, Alessandro
- Venue
- BMC Public Health
- Published
- 2021-04-17
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 742-742
- ISSN
- 1471-2458 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC8052738
- OpenAlex
- W3152568657
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 1.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- correction (2021-05-12)
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- BMC Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Research Square (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- UNICEF
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Breastfeeding Practices and Influences
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Global Maternal and Child Health
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Keywords
- breastfeeding practices, Gaza Strip, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, midwives, breastfeeding counseling, early initiation of breastfeeding, infant formula use, prenatal care, postpartum care, midwifery education
- MeSH terms
- Breast Feeding, Child, Female, Humans, Infant, Middle East, Mothers, Pregnancy, Infant Formula
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