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Journal of Human Lactation, Vol. 18, No. 3, 219-226 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/089033440201800303
© 2002 International Lactation Consultant Association

The Association Between Reported Childhood Sexual Abuse and Breastfeeding Initiation

Julia C. Prentice, MSPH

Department of Community Health Sciences, UCLA School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA.

Michael C. Lu, MD, MS, MPH

UCLA School of Medicine; Department of Community Health Sciences at UCLA School of Public Health.

Linda Lange, DrPH

UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities; United States Breastfeeding Committee.

Neal Halfon, MD, MPH

UCLA Schools of Medicine and Public Health; UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities.

This study examined the association between self-identified childhood sexual abuse and breastfeeding initiation. A nationally representative sample of 2017 parents with children younger than 3 yearswas surveyed by telephone about child-rearing needs. Respondents were asked to report childhood sexual abuse and breastfeeding practices. Responses of 1220 biological mothers were analyzed. A possible association between self-reported childhood sexual abuse and breastfeeding initiation was investigated through multivariate logistic regression. Seven percent of the respondents reported experiencing childhood sexual abuse. Women who reported childhood sexual abuse were more than twice (adjusted odds ratio = 2.58; 95% confidence interval = 1.14, 5.85; P= .02) as likely to initiate breastfeeding compared with women who did not report childhood sexual abuse. Parenting attitudes and behaviors were compared to consider whether greater concern with parenting is an explanation for this association. In this nationally representative sample, self-identified childhood sexual abuse is associated with an increased likelihood of breastfeeding initiation.

Key Words: breastfeeding initiation • childhood sexual abuse


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