Abstract

LOURENCO, Márcia Aguiar  and  DESLANDES, Suely Ferreira. Maternal care and breastfeeding experience of women suffering intimate partner violence. Rev. Saúde Pública [online]. 2008, vol.42, n.4, pp. 615-621.  Epub July 11, 2008. ISSN 0034-8910.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102008005000040.

OBJECTIVE: To describe maternal care and breastfeeding experience of women suffering intimate partner violence. METHODOGICAL PROCEDURES: A qualitative study was conducted in 11 women suffering intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Women aged 16-41 years were recruited in a hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro between January and March 2005. Data were collected through in-depth interviews using a life history approach and complemented by a semi-structured guide. ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS: Women expressed mixed feelings of loneliness and good moments regarding maternal care and breastfeeding experience. Most had early cessation of breastfeeding and the reasons reported included: the need to resume their working activities, lack of information on breastfeeding and the violence experienced by these women. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows a need to approach women as key actors of a nursing model, offering opportunities to listen to their concerns as well as to provide care to intimate partner violence victims and differentiated support.

Keywords : Battered Women; Maternal Behavior; Breast Feeding [psychology]; Infant Care; Maternal and Child Health; Qualitative Research.