What is the study question and is it relevant? Does the study add anything new? What type of research question is being asked? Was the study design appropriate for the research question? Did the study methods address the most important potential sources of bias?

Healthy people 2020 is a framework to assist communities in

The focus area chosen for this assignment is “Maternal, Infant, and Child Health” identified by Healthy People 2020. The research study chosen for this critical appraisal is “Breastfeeding Duration and Primary Reasons for Breastfeeding Cessation among Women with Postpartum Depressive Symptoms” by Chiu et al. (2018).

Study Question and Relevance: The study aims to investigate the association between maternal depressive symptoms and breastfeeding duration and to identify the primary reasons for breastfeeding cessation among mothers with postpartum depressive symptoms. The study question is relevant as it addresses the importance of breastfeeding for infant and maternal health and the impact of postpartum depression on breastfeeding. It also provides insights into the reasons for breastfeeding cessation in mothers with postpartum depressive symptoms.

New Contribution: The study adds new information as it explores the primary reasons for breastfeeding cessation among mothers with postpartum depressive symptoms, which is an area of research that has not been extensively studied. The study highlights the importance of providing support for breastfeeding mothers with postpartum depression to improve breastfeeding duration.

Research Question Type: The research question is an exploratory research question, which aims to explore the relationship between postpartum depression and breastfeeding duration and to identify the primary reasons for breastfeeding cessation among mothers with postpartum depressive symptoms.

Study Design: The study design is appropriate for the research question as it is a cross-sectional study that collects data from a sample of women with postpartum depressive symptoms. The study design enables the researchers to examine the association between postpartum depression and breastfeeding duration and to identify the primary reasons for breastfeeding cessation among mothers with postpartum depressive symptoms.

Potential Sources of Bias: The study methods address the most important potential sources of bias as the sample is recruited from a large healthcare system, and the data collection is done through a validated survey tool. However, the study has some limitations as the sample only includes women with postpartum depressive symptoms and may not be representative of the general population. The study also relies on self-reported data, which may be subject to social desirability bias.

In conclusion, Chiu et al.’s (2018) study provides valuable insights into the association between postpartum depression and breastfeeding duration and identifies the primary reasons for breastfeeding cessation among mothers with postpartum depressive symptoms. The study adds new information to the existing literature and highlights the importance of providing support for breastfeeding mothers with postpartum depression. However, the study has some limitations, such as the small sample size and the reliance on self-reported data, which should be taken into account when interpreting the results. Overall, the study provides valuable information for healthcare providers to develop interventions that support breastfeeding in mothers with postpartum depressive symptoms.