2.7.2 Influence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy and early postpartum depressive symptoms on breastfeeding among hong kong chinese women: A cross-sectional comparative study (60)

Ying Lau, Associate Professor, School of Health Sciences, Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macao, Macau

Abstract:

Background:

Numerous studies show that breastfeeding is beneficial to both mothers and babies.

Objectives:

This study explores two understudied correlates that may influence breast feeding initiation: intimate partner violence during pregnancy and early postnatal depressive symptoms.

Method:

A cross-sectional comparative study design investigated the correlates of feeding modes of 1,200 Chinese mother and infant pairs in a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong.

Results:

The prevalence rates of breastfeeding and mixed feeding were 42.25% and 26.25%, respectively. Women who had no experience of intimate partner violence during pregnancy were significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding [aOR = 1.84, 95% aCI 1.16 – 2.91] after adjustment for demographic, socio-economic and obstetric variables. Early postnatal depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with feeding modes in a multinomial logistic regression model.

Discussion:

Women who did not experience intimate partner violence during pregnancy were more likely to initiate breastfeeding as compared to women reporting abuse. Women who experienced psychological aggression and physical coercion during pregnancy were comparatively more likely to use mixed or artificial feeding. Several explanations have suggested. Although early depressive symptoms were not found to be significantly associated with initiating breastfeeding or mixed feeding in this study, this study did find that lower proportion of women who have early postnatal depressive symptoms initiate breastfeeding compared to non-depressed group, and a higher proportion of depressed women initiate artificial feeding.