Evaluating the Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on Postpartum Maternal Health Behaviors [ID 1671]

INTRODUCTION: Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy poses significant health risks for both mother and child. Although studies have examined the effects of IPV on various maternal health behaviors (MHBs), most are limited by small sample sizes, focused in developing countries, or outdated. This study aims to comprehensively describe the effect of IPV on postpartum MHBs in a large, diverse, and nationally representative sample. METHODS: We used data from 390,320 mothers in the 2012–2021 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to assess the relationship between IPV (physical, sexual, emotional) and postpartum MHBs (postpartum tobacco use, breastfeeding, contraception, and health care visit compliance), adjusting for maternal age, education, insurance, history of depression and anxiety, pregnancy intent, mode of delivery, and total prenatal visits. RESULTS: A total of 9,735 (2.5%) respondents indicated IPV, among whom, 35% smoked postpartum, 30% did not use contraception, 23% did not attend a postpartum visit, and 18% did not breastfeed. The incidence of MHB in those individuals was significantly higher than those who did not experience IPV (odds ratios [OR] ranging from 1.55 to 4.19), remaining true after adjusting for confounders for postpartum smoking (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.76–2.42), birth control (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.33–1.75), and postpartum health care visit (OR, 1.62; CI, 1.37–1.92), but not for breastfeeding (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.9–1.3). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: This study provides a current national understanding of the effect of IPV during pregnancy on postpartum MHB. Its findings provide ground for IPV screening and support during pregnancy and the postpartum period.