Unsettled infant behaviour and health service use: A cross-sectional community survey in Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Aims: To investigate factors associated with health service use by women and their infants in Victoria, Australia. Methods: Cross-sectional screening survey of 875 women with 4-month-old infants attending immunisation clinics in five local government areas in Melbourne between May 2007 and August 2008. The self-report instrument assessed socio-demographic characteristics, unsettled infant behaviour, maternal mood (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and, the outcome, health service use during the first 4 months post-partum. Results: Mothers and their infants used on average 2.8 different health services in the first 4 months post-partum (range 0-8). After adjustment for other factors, high..