title: Partner Disengagement from Pregnancy and Adverse Maternal and Infant Outcomes.
abstract: To assess whether partner disengagement from pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes.
  
  
  
  We analyzed data from the 2006-2007 Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey, comprising a cross-sectional representative sample of 6,421 childbearing women. Multiple logistic regression assessed the association between adverse outcomes and three indicators of partner disengagement: (1) partner did not want the pregnancy, (2) partner argued more than usual in the year prior to the baby's birth, and (3) partner was absent at the delivery.
  
  
  
  Of all respondents, 3.8% had partners who did not want the pregnancy, 16.1% argued more than usual with their partner in the past year, and 7.6% had partners who were absent at the delivery. Women whose partner did not want the pregnancy were more likely to report intimate partner violence (IPV) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.55; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.36-5.14), elevated depressive symptoms in the extended postpartum period (AOR 2.56, 95% CI 1.70-3.83), and nonroutine child healthcare visits after birth (AOR 1.54, 95% CI 1.13-2.11). Women whose partner argued more in the past year had higher odds of IPV (AOR 4.82, 95% CI 3.69-6.30), elevated depressive symptoms in the extended postpartum period (AOR 3.63; 95% CI 2.84-4.64), and nonroutine child healthcare visits (AOR 1.49, 95% CI 1.26-1.77), after adjustment for potential confounders.
  
  
  
  Partner disengagement is common and is associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Affected women may benefit from special assistance during pregnancy and after delivery.
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute , St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada .|2 Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada .|3 Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Canada .
authors.forename: Marcelo L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Urquia
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute , St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada .|2 Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada .
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pulver
authors.affiliation: 4 College of Nursing, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Canada .
authors.forename: Maureen I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Heaman
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute , St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada .
authors.forename: Joel G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beersheba, Israel .
authors.forename: Nihaya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Daoud
authors.affiliation: 1 Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute , St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada .|2 Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto , Toronto, Canada .
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Campo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000068104:Infant Health; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D000068097:Maternal Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: family health; health disparities; intimate partner violence; postpartum depression; primary care