Table 2.
Knowledge of breastfeeding during COVID-19 among lactating mothers/caregivers in Mekelle city, Tigrai, 2021, (n = 621)
| Variable | Category | Frequency (%) |
|---|---|---|
| First food for the newborn is breastmilk | Knows | 618 (99.5) |
| Doesn’t know | 3 (0.5) | |
| EBF means feeding the infant nothing other than breastmilk | Knows | 610 (98.2) |
| Doesn’t know | 11 (1.8) | |
| EBF should last for the first 6 months of life | Knows | 610 (98.2) |
| Doesn’t know | 11 (1.8) | |
| Breastfeeding on demand | Knows | 533 (85.8) |
| Doesn’t know | 88 (14.2) | |
| Benefits of EBF to the baby | Knows | 563 (90.7) |
| Doesn’t know | 58 (9.3) | |
| Benefits of EBF to the mother | Knows | 426 (68.6) |
| Doesn’t know | 195 (31.4) | |
| Ways to keep up breastmilk supply | Knows | 559 (90.0) |
| Doesn’t know | 62 (10.0) | |
| When mother is absent EBF can continue by expressing breastmilk and/or storing | Knows | 232 (37.4) |
| Doesn’t know | 389 (62.6) | |
| Mother should continue EBF if baby is sick | Knows | 519 (83.6) |
| Doesn’t know | 102 (16.4) | |
| Options of breastfeeding for HIV positive mother who chooses to breastfeed | Knows | 530 (85.4) |
| Doesn’t know | 91 (14.6) | |
| Very low birthweight infant should be EBF by skin to skin contact (Kangaroo mother care) | Knows | 103 (16.6) |
| Doesn’t know | 518 (83.4) | |
| A COVID-19 positive/suspect mother should initiate/continue breastfeeding with strict precautions | Knows | 220 (35.4) |
| Doesn’t know | 401 (64.6) |
COVID-19 Corona Virus Disease-19, EBF Exclusive Breastfeeding, HIV Human Immune Deficiency Virus