Effectiveness of Breastfeeding Corners in Evacuation Camps During Disasters

Abstract

Breastfeeding is essential for reducing infant morbidity and mortality, particularly in disaster evacuation camps. However, overcrowding and limited privacy may discourage breastfeeding and negatively affect maternal psychological well-being. Providing designated breastfeeding corners may help create a more comfortable and supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers. To evaluate the effectiveness of breastfeeding corners in maintaining breast milk production among breastfeeding mothers in disaster evacuation camps. A quantitative quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest–post-test control group design. Sixty breastfeeding mothers in South Tapanuli Regency, Indonesia, were recruited through purposive sampling and allocated to an intervention group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). Data were collected using questionnaires and observation sheets. Within-group and between-group differences were analysed using paired-samples and independent-samples t-tests, respectively. Logistic regression was used to further examine the association between the provision of breastfeeding corners and the continuity of breast milk production. The findings demonstrated statistically significant differences in post-test scores and changes in scores between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.001). These results suggest that providing breastfeeding corners was more effective than usual evacuation-camp conditions in improving the continuity of breast milk production. Breastfeeding corners may serve as a practical intervention to support the continuity of breast milk production among mothers affected by disasters. Integrating dedicated breastfeeding spaces into evacuation-camp facilities may help create a more supportive environment for breastfeeding.