The Bioethical Analysis of Social Media Posts on Breast Milk Donation Following the February 6, 2023 Earthquake in Turkey: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: It is medically known that breast milk is an important source of nutrition for the growth and development of babies. Following the February 6, 2023 Earthquake in Turkey, calls for breast milk donation were made on social media to meet the milk needs of babies whose mothers passed away. Research Aims: The aim of this study is to examine breast milk donation calls during the disaster period from a bioethical perspective and analyze the challenges and potential solutions specific to Turkey. Methods: We designed an internet-based qualitative research study. The research data were obtained from Twitter posts about breast milk donation during the earthquake period between February and April, 2023. Results: We identified two main contexts regarding breast milk donation: culture and belief, and health. The main themes within culture and belief were culture and religion. The main themes within health were misinformation, infection risk, alternative food, milk bank organizations, and allergy risk. Conclusion: The study emphasizes that cultural norms strongly influence breast milk donation. In bioethics, milk donation during disasters should prioritize the social needs of infants while considering societal values. It is important to emphazise that despite misinformation, breast milk remains the best source of infant nutrition.