Management of lactation mastitis in a Western Australian cohort

This study describes the reported management and treatment strategies which are advised by health professionals and undertaken by mothers with mastitis using data obtained from a self report questionnaire completed by women who suffered a total of 78 cases of mastitis within the first three months postpartum. This study revealed two important areas that need to be addressed by practitioners treating women with mastitis. Firstly, a greater emphasis must be placed on determining potential causal factors for individuals cases of mastitis to aid in the prevention and management of recurrent episodes. Secondly, women require more information on all aspects of mastitis ranging from causal factors to information on the efficacy of the broad range of treatment strategies available.