Health Of New Mothers Research Articles

Division of domestic work and psychological distress 1 year after childbirth: a comparison between France, Quebec and Italy

AbstractBackground.The participation of men in domestic work should have a positive impact on the wellbeing and mental health of women who are mothers of young children. However, cultural factors, which largely determine the expectations and desires of men and women, are likely to modify this impact. The purpose of this study was to explore differences between countries in the division of child care and housework between couples 1 year after childbirth, and to look at possible differences in the relationship between this division and the psychological health of new mothers.Methods.Similar studies were carried out in three countries: France, Italy and Canada (province of Quebec), making it possible to compare the situation of 1598 women.Results.The results revealed major differences between countries in the division of domestic work. For nearly all the child care and housework tasks studied, answers indicating an unequal division were more frequent in Italy than in France, and more frequent in France than in Quebec. Despite these differences, we found very similar pattern of associations, in the three countries, between the division of domestic work and the mental health of women. An unequal division of child care was linked with psychological distress, but this association was not found for the division of housework.Conclusion.These results raise questions concerning the mechanisms by which the division of domestic work affects the psychological health of new mothers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Early discharge: its impact on low-income mothers and newborns in the state of Hawaii.

The objectives of this survey were to investigate whether, in the state of Hawaii, early discharge had a negative effect on the health of new mothers and their infants, especially those at high sociodemographic risk, and whether early discharge was implemented in compliance with the early-discharge guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). This statewide survey was conducted from June 17 through July 12, 1996. The data was collected and recorded by perinatal providers at 14 PSS (Perinatal Support Services) sites through interviews of mothers using questionnaires. This report is based on the 108 questionnaires that were returned from the PSS sites. A descriptive analysis was performed, using the statistical/epidemiologic program EPI INFO 6. The survey reveals that the practice of early discharge had been implemented extensively but not in compliance with AAP/ACOG early discharge guidelines. The neonatal readmission rate for this survey group was 6.5% among low-income mothers and infants. This was found to be among the highest rates reported in the United States and Canada; in the United States, reported neonatal readmission rates vary from 1 to 4%. Early discharge greatly contributes to negative outcomes among low-income mothers and infants. This paper reports on the results of this survey in Hawaii and recommends a comprehensive approach for promoting the health and well-being of low-income mothers and infants.