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

Aims: To determine the differences in breastfeeding among women who did anddid not experience domestic violence during pregnancy and postpartum in a Swedishcontext. In addition, to identify possible differences regarding breastfeedingbetween groups with or without a history of violence. Further, determine the relationshipbetween exclusive breastfeeding and symptoms of depression.Background: History of violence may increase the risk of depression and a decreasein, or cessation of, breastfeeding.Design: The study has a cross-sectional design.Methods: Data were collected prospectively from March 2012 - May 2015. Acohort of 731 mothers answered a questionnaire from a larger project (1.5 yearspostpartum).Results: Breastfeeding was reported by 93.7% of participants. Women exposed todomestic violence during pregnancy and/or postpartum (4.5%) were just as likely tobreastfeed as women who had not reported exposure to domestic violence. Therewere no statistically significant differences between the groups with or without ahistory of violence regarding exclusive breastfeeding. Women reporting severalsymptoms of depression breastfed exclusively to a lesser extent compared withwomen who had a few symptoms of depression.Conclusion: Domestic violence did not influence breastfeeding prevalence orduration. 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 identifyand to support pregnant women and new mothers with symptoms of depressionas their health and the health of their infants depends on the mothers’mental well-being