Intimate Partner Violence and Breastfeeding Practices in Six African Countries Público

Abstract

Background: Optimal breastfeeding practices impart health benefits to mothers and infants. Intimate partner violence (IPV) may adversely affect optimal breastfeeding, but research is limited and inconclusive. This study examined the effect of different forms of IPV on early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding in six African countries.

Methods: We used national Demographic and Health Surveys for Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to study mothers (15-49 years) with a child less than 6 months old. Logistic regression was used to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted associations of physical, emotional, sexual, and pregnancy IPV with: early (within 1 hour of birth) and exclusive breastfeeding.

Results: Across countries, IPV was typically negatively associated with optimal breastfeeding practices. More severe physical IPV in Kenya (aOR: 0.38, p=0.004), less severe physical IPV (aOR: 0.62, p=0.028) and sexual IPV (aOR: 0.40, p=0.005) in Zambia were negatively associated with early initiation. Sexual IPV in Liberia (aOR: 0.08, p=0.032) and Kenya (aOR: 0.27, p=0.007), as well as emotional IPV in Kenya (aOR: 0.40, p=0.010) were negatively associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Many other associations were marginally significant and in similar directions (p<0.10). Among Zimbabwean women, pregnancy IPV (aOR: 6.51, p=0.013) and emotional IPV (aOR: 2.72, p=0.013) were unexpectedly positively associated with early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding, respectively.

Conclusions: IPV may adversely affect breastfeeding practices, and longitudinal research of these relationships is warranted. IPV screening and breastfeeding counseling for exposed women should be a routine part of prenatal care to mitigate the potential intergenerational effects of IPV.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1 Introduction... 1
2 Literature Review... 5
2.1 Introduction to the Literature Review... 5
2.2 Studies examining the effect of IPV on breastfeeding practices
in the United States... 5
2.3 Studies examining the effect of IPV on breastfeeding practices
outside the United States... 8
2.4 Conceptual framework & rationale for link between IPV and
breastfeeding practices... 13
2.5 Conclusion... 20
3 Manuscript... 23
3.1 Title Page... 23
3.2 Contribution of student... 24
3.3 Abstract... 25
3.4 Introduction... 26
3.5 Methods... 27
3.6 Results... 31
3.7 Discussion... 34
3.8 References... 40
3.9 Tables... 46
4 Conclusion and Recommendations... 50
References... 52

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Palabra Clave	domestic violence Africa Intimate partner violence Sub-Saharan Africa Demographic and Health Survey breastfeeding
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Yount, Kathryn, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Emory University schools, faculty or affiliated programs

Última modificación

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Intimate Partner Violence and Breastfeeding Practices in Six African Countries ()	2018-08-28 15:06:54 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions