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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Phyllis Sharps, PhD, RN, FAAN¹, Renee Milligan, PhD, RN¹, Kevin Frick, PhD², Deitra Wynn, BSN, RN¹, and Linda Pugh, PhD, RN, FAAN¹. (1) School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, 525 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, 410-614-5312, dwynn1@son.jhmi.edu, (2) School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205

This paper describes a sample of low income breastfeeding women, participating in a study using a community health nurse/peer home visit home intervention to promote breastfeeding exclusivity and duration. Breastfeeding women were recruited within 24 hours of delivery. At 12 weeks postpartum the PRAMS questions were used to assess physical fighting and physically hurt by an intimate partner. Women wee also asked about their partners, social support and depressive symptoms (CES-D). The total study sample consisted of 328 women, 90% African American, mean age 23 years, 17% married, 87% had an intimate partners, 36% with at least a high school education and 64% were employed during the pregnancy. Data for 153 women who had reached 12 weeks postpartum was examined for IPV. Fifteen percent (23) of the women reported physical fighting with an intimate partner. Among the women reporting IPV 78% were African American, mean age was 22, 26% were married 47% had a high school education or higher. There were no significant difference between the total 12 week sample and the women reporting IPV related to depression or social support, but depression scores were higher and support scores were lower for women reporting IPV. Among the breastfeeding women reporting IPV women were significantly more likely to have a partner who had been in jail or who had recently lost a job. IPV victimization may contribute to breastfeeding health disparities. It is important to identify strategies to keep abused women safe, and to maintaining breastfeeding.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participants will be able to

• Describe the rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) aganist pregnant women.
• Describe how IPV impacts pregnancy and postpartim outcomes.
• Discuss how IPV may influence breastfeeding disparities among low income women.

Keywords: Breastfeeding, Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered