Lactational Mastitis Diagnosis and Care-Seeking Behaviors Among Postpartum Persons in Maine
Document Type
Event
Faculty Mentor
Julianne Siegfreidt
Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore behavioral and environmental patterns identified in individuals with mastitis. This study will help contextualize these patterns and provide a stronger foundation for hypotheses around causality of various factors. Specific outcomes explored include location of first mastitis diagnosis, breast pump use and relation to mastitis symptoms, and self-reported mastitis incidence. Methods: Data was collected using an online survey designed to gather quantitative and qualitative data. Recruitment occurred through printed and digital media distributed at new parent-oriented locations. For location comparisons, the counties of York and Cumberland were considered Southern Maine while all other counties were considered Northern Maine. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and group differences were assessed through comparison of response percentages. Results: The incidence of lactational mastitis was 28%. Individuals in Northern Maine had a lower incidence of diagnosed mastitis than Southern Maine (18% and 29% respectively), while Southern Maine saw a total incidence of likely mastitis of 43%. 80% of individuals with mastitis received a diagnosis, 50% received their diagnosis over the phone while 50% received their diagnosis in-person. 100% of respondents owned a breast pump within the 3-month postpartum period immediately following their delivery. 89% of respondents received their breast pump from their insurance company and 83% of respondents received their breast pump more than one week prior to their delivery. 75% of individuals with a mastitis diagnosis used their breast pump at least partially to prevent or treat lactational mastitis symptoms. Data collected did not allow for significant differences to be observed regarding individuals with a higher incidence of mastitis based on insurance coverage, delivery number, age, or history of mastitis. Conclusion: Estimates of lactational mastitis using insurance claims data may be underestimating lactational mastitis incidence by 20%. Individuals in Northern Maine are more at risk of receiving their diagnosis in acute care encounters resulting in higher costs. Breast pump use is widespread and estimates of use based on insurance claims may be underestimating use. Despite unclear literature, breast pumps are still used regularly to address symptoms of mastitis.
Lactational Mastitis Diagnosis and Care-Seeking Behaviors Among Postpartum Persons in Maine
The objective of this study was to explore behavioral and environmental patterns identified in individuals with mastitis. This study will help contextualize these patterns and provide a stronger foundation for hypotheses around causality of various factors. Specific outcomes explored include location of first mastitis diagnosis, breast pump use and relation to mastitis symptoms, and self-reported mastitis incidence. Methods: Data was collected using an online survey designed to gather quantitative and qualitative data. Recruitment occurred through printed and digital media distributed at new parent-oriented locations. For location comparisons, the counties of York and Cumberland were considered Southern Maine while all other counties were considered Northern Maine. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and group differences were assessed through comparison of response percentages. Results: The incidence of lactational mastitis was 28%. Individuals in Northern Maine had a lower incidence of diagnosed mastitis than Southern Maine (18% and 29% respectively), while Southern Maine saw a total incidence of likely mastitis of 43%. 80% of individuals with mastitis received a diagnosis, 50% received their diagnosis over the phone while 50% received their diagnosis in-person. 100% of respondents owned a breast pump within the 3-month postpartum period immediately following their delivery. 89% of respondents received their breast pump from their insurance company and 83% of respondents received their breast pump more than one week prior to their delivery. 75% of individuals with a mastitis diagnosis used their breast pump at least partially to prevent or treat lactational mastitis symptoms. Data collected did not allow for significant differences to be observed regarding individuals with a higher incidence of mastitis based on insurance coverage, delivery number, age, or history of mastitis. Conclusion: Estimates of lactational mastitis using insurance claims data may be underestimating lactational mastitis incidence by 20%. Individuals in Northern Maine are more at risk of receiving their diagnosis in acute care encounters resulting in higher costs. Breast pump use is widespread and estimates of use based on insurance claims may be underestimating use. Despite unclear literature, breast pumps are still used regularly to address symptoms of mastitis.
