A Cross-Sectional Study of COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Postpartum Women's Level of Anxiety, Depression and Breastfeeding Duration

Abstract

Pregnancy and postpartum periods are known as sensitive periods in women’s life and COVID-19 pandemic seems to be worsening their mental health with major impacts on exclusive breastfeeding duration. Therefore, the present study aims to fill the gap in the literature by assessing the links between postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms and breastfeeding duration as well as the associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. A longitudinal prospective observational study was conducted between November and December 2020 at the Maternity ward of Vlore Regional Hospital, Albania. A total of 321 postpartum women were invited to participate in the study, resulting in 215 participants with a response rate of 66.9%. Along with modified questions from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II (IFPS II) Neonatal Questionnaire on breastfeeding follow-up from birth to third and sixth months, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used to measure anxiety and depression levels. The binomial logistic regression model was applied to reflect the relationship between variables with the corresponding p-value ≤ 0.05. The mean age of participants was 27.4 ± 5.32 years old. 41% of them experienced postpartum anxiety and 51% showed symptoms of depression. Unemployment (69%; OR = 3.66), COVID-19 threat to their own life (89%; OR = 2.89), and feelings of isolation (62%), were all significant predictors of postpartum anxiety and depression disorders. Both anxiety and depression were significant barriers to unsuccessful breastfeeding duration, especially among primiparous women (p = 0.001). The findings revealed high anxiety and depression among postpartum women, which was linked to COVID-19 stressors and breastfeeding outcomes. The careful follow-up of perinatal mothers during a pandemic should be the priority of healthcare professionals to reduce maternal morbidity rates and improve the health of infants.