Peer-reviewed article
"I'm restlessly eager to breastfeed": breastfeeding narratives of internally displaced Yazidi genocide survivors in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Palmquist AEL, Seidi PA, Abas NQ, Jaff D, Soltan L et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines breastfeeding experiences among internally displaced Yazidi women living in camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Researchers collected data from 30 pregnant and postpartum women, 7 spouses, and 5 aid workers between November 2018 and December 2019 through interviews and mental health screening. The study found that breastfeeding decisions are strongly shaped by camp living conditions, pregnancy and birth experiences, poverty, mental health challenges, lack of social support, and cultural beliefs. The research calls for increased investment in culturally sensitive, trauma-informed mental health care for displaced women during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
Key points
- Breastfeeding decisions and practices among Yazidi IDP women are heavily constrained by camp living conditions and poverty
- Mental health challenges and lack of mental health care significantly impact breastfeeding experiences
- Cultural beliefs about breastfeeding importance play a role in women's feeding decisions
- There is a critical gap in trauma-informed, culturally sensitive perinatal and postpartum care for displaced populations
- Improved mental health support for pregnant and postpartum women in camps could promote better infant and young child feeding outcomes
Limitations
The study is qualitative and small-scale (30 women) in a specific geographic context, so findings may not generalise to other displaced or humanitarian populations. The research describes experiences and needs but does not evaluate the effectiveness of specific interventions to improve breastfeeding outcomes.
Abstract
Breastfeeding is one of the most important public health interventions that supports infant and young child survival in humanitarian crises. Yet, breastfeeding in these settings is often difficult and challenges are not always easy to address. The purpose of this study was to understand breastfeeding decisions and experiences among a population of internally displaced Yazidi women living in IDP camps across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This mixed-methods, multi-sited study was designed to document Yazidi women's breastfeeding experiences while living in an IDP camp in the KRI. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected November 2018-December 2019 in five IDP camps throughout Sulaymaniya Province to which Yazidi families had been resettled. Mental Health screening data were collected with 30 pregnant and postpartum women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with these same 30 women as well as some spouses (n = 7) and aid workers (n = 5). Thematic narrative analysis was used to analyze the data and develop themes and interpretations. Breastfeeding decisions and practices are strongly circumscribed by living conditions in the camp, pregnancy and birth experiences, poverty, lack of mental health care, social support, and cultural beliefs regarding the importance of breastfeeding. There is a critical need for increased investment in delivering mental health support in camps, specifically for people experiencing pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding and those who are supporting these populations, with an emphasis on culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care. Doing so has the potential to promote more humane, holistic, and human-rights-based approaches to perinatal and postpartum care for Yazidis and for IYCF-E programs globally.