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Breastfeeding in the context of domestic violence-a cross-sectional study

Finnbogadóttir, Hafrún LU and Thies-Lagergren, Li LU orcid (2017) In Journal of Advanced Nursing 73(12). p.3209-3219
Abstract

Aims: To determine the differences in breastfeeding among women who did and did not experience domestic violence during pregnancy and postpartum in a Swedish context. In addition, to identify possible differences regarding breastfeeding between groups with or without a history of violence. Further, determine the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and symptoms of depression. Background: History of violence may increase the risk of depression and a decrease in, or cessation of, breastfeeding. Design: The study has a cross-sectional design. Methods: Data were collected prospectively from March 2012 - May 2015. A cohort of 731 mothers answered a questionnaire from a larger project (1.5 years postpartum). Results: Breastfeeding was... (More)

Aims: To determine the differences in breastfeeding among women who did and did not experience domestic violence during pregnancy and postpartum in a Swedish context. In addition, to identify possible differences regarding breastfeeding between groups with or without a history of violence. Further, determine the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and symptoms of depression. Background: History of violence may increase the risk of depression and a decrease in, or cessation of, breastfeeding. Design: The study has a cross-sectional design. Methods: Data were collected prospectively from March 2012 - May 2015. A cohort of 731 mothers answered a questionnaire from a larger project (1.5 years postpartum). Results: Breastfeeding was reported by 93.7% of participants. Women exposed to domestic violence during pregnancy and/or postpartum (4.5%) were just as likely to breastfeed as women who had not reported exposure to domestic violence. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with or without a history of violence regarding exclusive breastfeeding. Women reporting several symptoms of depression breastfed exclusively to a lesser extent compared with women who had a few symptoms of depression. Conclusion: Domestic violence did not influence breastfeeding prevalence or duration. Breastfeeding did not differ in women with or without a history of violence. Symptoms of depression influenced duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Beyond recognizing women who are exposed to violence, it is important to identify and to support pregnant women and new mothers with symptoms of depression as their health and the health of their infants depends on the mothers' mental well-being.

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author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Breastfeeding, Depression, Domestic violence, History of violence, Nurses/midwives/nursing, Postpartum
in
Journal of Advanced Nursing
volume
73
issue
12
pages
3209 - 3219
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85020172787
  • pmid:28513055
  • wos:000418365200041
ISSN
0309-2402
DOI
10.1111/jan.13339
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
32b0cd15-b5b8-42d7-87b7-ea22a8e783f2
date added to LUP
2017-06-29 11:38:56
date last changed
2024-06-24 23:54:16
@article{32b0cd15-b5b8-42d7-87b7-ea22a8e783f2,
  abstract     = {{<p>Aims: To determine the differences in breastfeeding among women who did and did not experience domestic violence during pregnancy and postpartum in a Swedish context. In addition, to identify possible differences regarding breastfeeding between groups with or without a history of violence. Further, determine the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and symptoms of depression. Background: History of violence may increase the risk of depression and a decrease in, or cessation of, breastfeeding. Design: The study has a cross-sectional design. Methods: Data were collected prospectively from March 2012 - May 2015. A cohort of 731 mothers answered a questionnaire from a larger project (1.5 years postpartum). Results: Breastfeeding was reported by 93.7% of participants. Women exposed to domestic violence during pregnancy and/or postpartum (4.5%) were just as likely to breastfeed as women who had not reported exposure to domestic violence. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with or without a history of violence regarding exclusive breastfeeding. Women reporting several symptoms of depression breastfed exclusively to a lesser extent compared with women who had a few symptoms of depression. Conclusion: Domestic violence did not influence breastfeeding prevalence or duration. Breastfeeding did not differ in women with or without a history of violence. Symptoms of depression influenced duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Beyond recognizing women who are exposed to violence, it is important to identify and to support pregnant women and new mothers with symptoms of depression as their health and the health of their infants depends on the mothers' mental well-being.</p>}},
  author       = {{Finnbogadóttir, Hafrún and Thies-Lagergren, Li}},
  issn         = {{0309-2402}},
  keywords     = {{Breastfeeding; Depression; Domestic violence; History of violence; Nurses/midwives/nursing; Postpartum}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  number       = {{12}},
  pages        = {{3209--3219}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Journal of Advanced Nursing}},
  title        = {{Breastfeeding in the context of domestic violence-a cross-sectional study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jan.13339}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/jan.13339}},
  volume       = {{73}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}