Effects of maternal depression on breast-feeding.
OBJECTIVE
To see the effects of maternal depression on breast feeding behavior.


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional study.


METHODS
The study was carried out at the OPD of the Children's Hospital Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad from October to mid November 2001.


METHODS
One hundred mothers with children of breast feeding age from 2 months to 2 years were interviewed. These women were visiting the OPD of the Children's Hospital Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad for medical check up of their children. The interview included the administration of the Urdu version of Hospital Anxiety and depression Scale (HADS).


RESULTS
Thirty eight percent of the women had stopped breast feeding and their mean score on HADS was 19.66. whereas 62% of the women were breast feeding their children with a mean score of 3.27 on HADS. Out of the non breast feeding mothers 36.8% reported that their depressive symptoms preceded cessation of breast feeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal depression effects the breast feeding behavior of the mother. It causes mothers to stop breast feeding their children.
Taj
R
R
Department of Psychiatry, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad.
Sikander
K S
KS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000150:complications*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010154:Pakistan; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies