Violence against women and postpartum depression: the experience of Chilean women.

This article is based on the findings from a cross-sectional study of women (N = 163) who were at least two weeks postpartum and attending primary care clinics in Arica, Chile. The researcher in this study examined the prevalence of history of violence and its association with postpartum depression. The Women Abuse Screen and the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale-Spanish version were used to assess interpersonal violence and postpartum depression. A history of violence was reported by 64% of the women. Of those who experienced abuse, 44% reported ongoing abuse during their pregnancy. Women who experienced violence screened positive for elevated symptoms categories of postpartum depression such as anxiety/insecurity, emotional lability, and mental confusion compared to women who had not experienced violence. Postpartum depression symptom reporting decreased with increasing number of pregnancies (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.54-0.97) and greater social support (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.46-0.88). Postpartum depression symptom reporting increased with smoking (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.00-2.86), and with reporting history of violence (OR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.24-2.34). Acknowledgment of the strong association between domestic violence and postpartum depression should lead to routine screening during prenatal and postpartum periods as a way to isolate risk for postpartum depression.

Factors associated with postpartum depression in Chilean women.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of postpartum depression in a regular clinical setting among Chilean women. The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale, Spanish Version was used to assess symptoms of depression. Chilean women (45%) reported depressive symptoms including suicidal thoughts, sleeping/eating disturbances, and emotional stability. Factors that predicted the probability of PPD included attitudes concerning pregnancy, social support, and tobacco use. Routine screening for PPD could make a difference in prevention, prompt diagnosis, and management of postpartum depression in developing countries.

Factors predicting the initiation of prenatal care in Mexican women.

OBJECTIVE: to describe factors related to the initiation of prenatal care (PNC) among pregnant Mexican women. DESIGN: descriptive correlational. SETTING: public prenatal clinic in Monterrey, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: 253 pregnant Mexican women aged 13-46 years. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: structured interviews were conducted to obtain information concerning demographics, reproductive history, current pregnancy, perceptions of benefits and barriers of PNC, negative attitudes towards pregnancy and social support. Late initiation of PNC was reported by 47% of participants. Factors related to PNC initiation were education, perceived benefits or barriers, and negative attitudes towards pregnancy. Women who initiated PNC at an early stage were more likely to live with a partner, had a higher educational level and anticipated desirable personal benefits of PNC. Perceptions of barriers to PNC impeded early initiation of care. Social support did not influence PNC initiation. Negative attitudes towards pregnancy increased the likelihood of late PNC initiation. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: screening for negative attitudes towards pregnancy, partner status, educational level and perceived health-care barriers among pregnant Mexican women is important. Health-care providers may then address these psychosocial risk factors through PNC interventions promoting early initiation of care.

Health behavior in Mexican pregnant women with a history of violence.

This study examines the association between history of violence, attitudes toward pregnancy, and initiation of prenatal care (PNC). Pregnant women receiving their first PNC visit at a public prenatal clinic in Monterrey, Mexico, were enrolled in the study. Structured interviews collected information concerning demographics, reproductive history, current pregnancy, attitudes toward pregnancy, history of violence, and perceived barriers and benefits of PNC. Results showed that 35% of participants reported violence. A current or previous partner was the most common perpetrator. Of women experiencing abuse, 47% reported that abuse was ongoing during the current pregnancy. More women reporting violence were unmarried, did not live with a partner, and reported a lower monthly income. An experience of violence was associated with initiation of PNC, number of pregnancies, perception of barriers, and negative attitudes toward pregnancy. This issue should be emphasized in recognition of the important role that nurses and midwives have regarding violence.