Abuse against women, depression, and infant morbidity: a primary care cohort study in Brazil
Manzolli, P.; Nunes, M.Angelica.; Schmidt, M.Ines.; Ferri, C.P.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine 43(2): 188-195
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0749-3797 PMID: 22813684 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2012.04.013Document Number: 565760
The relationship between abuse against women and maternal depression as risk factors for infant morbidity is unclear. To describe the association of prenatal and postnatal abuse against women on infant physical morbidity and examine the potential mediating effect of maternal depression on these associations. Prospective cohort study of 375 women from pregnancy (16th 36th week) to the fifth month postpartum, who attended 18 primary care units in Southern Brazil between 26 and 28. Abuse and depression were measured at the prenatal and postnatal interviews using standardized instruments. Infant outcomes were diarrhea and respiratory infection during the first 5 months after birth. Analyses were conducted in 2Overall, 35% of participants reported having suffered abuse during pregnancy and/or in the postnatal period. In addition, 1.1% reported infant diarrhea and 2.5% respiratory infection. Infants of mothers abused at the postnatal period were at increased risk for diarrhea (adjusted relative risk [RR]=2.2, 95% CI=1.15, 4.19) and for respiratory infection (adjusted RR=1.68, 95% CI=1.12, 2.52). There was no mediating effect of depression for either outcome. Postnatal abuse against women is associated with risk of infant diarrhea and respiratory infection. The current findings highlight the importance of getting abuse against women into the public health agenda.
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