The association between childhood trauma and breastfeeding for a sample of women from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Public
Boston, Nikita Latoya (2012)
Abstract
Purpose: The goal of this research was to examine the
association between childhood trauma (sexual, physical and
emotional abuse) and breastfeeding outcomes (initiation, exclusive
breastfeeding at 3 months and 6 months and any breastfeeding at 3,
6 and 12 months).
Methods: 257 women from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada were
enrolled in a prospective study to assess their maternal and infant
behaviors. Mothers were enrolled prenatally and were visited at
home at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Abuse was determined during the
screening assessment at 12-18 weeks gestation. Women were screened
for the three forms of abuse using the Childhood Trauma
Questionnaire (CTQ). Breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity and
duration were assessed at 6 and 12 months postpartum. The
association between abuse and breastfeeding was examined using
multivariate logistic regression models. Adjustments were made for
maternal age, race, education, living with their partner,
depression and if the pregnancy was unwanted.
Findings: Childhood physical abuse was significantly
associated (at the p<0.05 level) with any breastfeeding at
3months [2.6, (1.145, 6.174)], 6 months [2.3 (1.009, 5.171)] and 12
months [5.4 (1.212, 23.839)]. Childhood sexual abuse was
significantly associated with any breastfeeding at 6 months [2.437,
(1.087, 5.461)]. In all cases the association was that those who
were not abused were more likely to still be breastfeeding at those
time points when compared to women who were abused. When
adjustments were made for the covariates the associations were
attenuated and there was no statistical association between abuse
and infant feeding practices.
Conclusion: More attention should be paid to associations
between childhood abuse and breastfeeding in general, especially
the association between childhood physical abuse and later
breastfeeding practices. In addition, maternity care professionals
need to be educated on this topic to learn how to identify women
who may have been abused and provide care to them in a way that is
sensitive in order to foster successful breastfeeding when
possible.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction - 1
Chapter 2: Literature Review - 4
Chapter 3: Methodology and Results - 24
Chapter 4: Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations -33
References - 40
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