 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Esther K. Chung, MD, MPH1, Kelly F. McCollum, MPH2, Irma T. Elo, MPA, PhD3, Helen J. Lee3, Tina M. Riley, BS2, Margarita Rubio, MS2, and Jennifer F. Culhane, PhD, MPH2. (1) Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson Medical College/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, Jefferson Pediatrics/duPont Children's Health Program, 833 Chestnut Street, Ste. 300, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-955-9460, echung@nemours.org, (2) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson Medical College, 834 Chestnut Street, Suite 320, Ben Franklin House, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (3) Department of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania, 3718 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Objective: To determine the relationships between maternal depression and maternal use of 1) infant health services, 2) parenting practices, and 3) injury prevention measures. Design/Methods: Prospective, community-based survey. Participants included 774 mothers surveyed at 3 time-points pre- and post-partum. Maternal depressive symptoms were determined by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) at each time-point. Use of infant health services and preventative health practices were measured. ANOVA and Chi-square analyses were performed using STATA 6.0. Results: The sample consisted of single (74%), uninsured (63%), young (mean age: 23 + 6 yrs), low-income (mean income: $8,063/year), African American (68%) mothers. Forty-eight percent were depressed at one or two points (sometimes) and 12% at all points (always). Results from univariate analyses show that mothers always depressed (DA) when compared to those sometimes (DS) or never depressed (DN) were less likely to report adequate infant well-child care [74% vs. 80% (DS) and 85% (DN); p < 0.05] and more likely to report their infant ever being hospitalized [35% vs. 20% (DS) and 17% (DN); p = 0.001]. Always depressed mothers were less likely to breastfeed [3% vs. 7% (DS) and 11% (DN); p < 0.05], use a car seat [89% vs. 97% (DS) and 97% (DN); p < 0.01], have a working smoke alarm [88% vs. 94% (DS) and 97% (DN); p < 0.01], and use the back sleep position [41% vs. 50% (DS) and 57% (DN); p < 0.05]; but more likely to use corporal punishment [28% vs. 12% (DS) and 18% (DN); p = 0.001]. Multivariate analyses will be conducted and results will be available at the time of this presentation. Conclusions: Maternal depression persisting prepartum to postpartum is associated with inadequate well-child care, an increased risk of infant hospitalization and use of corporal punishment; and a decreased use of breastfeeding and the back sleep position, and having a car seat or working smoke alarm. Further efforts are needed to reduce maternal depression, which may impact the health and safety of young infants.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Depression, Infant Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.