Cascading Disasters, Perinatal Wellbeing, and Infant Feeding Practices in South Alabama
1Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
Summary
Cascading disasters and system-level challenges significantly impact perinatal wellbeing and infant feeding choices. Lack of paid parental leave and community support create stress for parents and healthcare providers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Cascading disasters, defined as environmental disruptions causing secondary impacts, pose unique challenges to public health.
- The COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 hurricanes created a complex disaster environment in south Alabama.
- Perinatal wellbeing and infant feeding practices are sensitive to environmental stressors and support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how cascading disasters influence perceptions of perinatal wellbeing.
- To examine the effects of these disasters on breastfeeding and formula-feeding practices.
- To understand the experiences of perinatal healthcare providers and birth parents in south Alabama.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative ethnographic research design.
- Interviews conducted with 10 perinatal healthcare providers and 10 birth parents.
- Data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic and post-hurricane period in 2020.
Main Results:
- Cascading disaster concerns were often overshadowed by systemic issues like the lack of paid parental leave.
- Absence of community-based breastfeeding support was a significant source of stress.
- Birth parents faced difficult negotiations between infant feeding choices and personal needs.
Conclusions:
- Robust federal and state support systems are crucial for perinatal health.
- Enhanced support is necessary for adherence to infant feeding guidelines during and after disasters.
- Addressing systemic challenges is vital for improving perinatal wellbeing in disaster-prone areas.
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