Physical violence against pregnant women: risk factors and its relation to some pregnancy outcomes in women referring to Tabriz educational hospitals in 1386

Every member of the family may be at risk of domestic violence, but women, because of their essential roles as a mother and as a wife, are at higher risk. Undoubtedly, violence is a major stressor for expectant mothers and can influence pregnancy outcomes. This study performed to determine the risk factors and pregnancy outcomes of physical violence against pregnant women in Tabriz.

Methods and materials: This survey was a descriptive-analytic study performed on 260 women delivered in educational hospitals of Tabriz in 1386. Data were collected by a questionnaire and from delivery records. Content validity and test-retest were used for determining the validity and reliability of questionnaire, respectively.

Results: Findings of this study showed that pregnant mothers were at risk of domestic violence, including physical and psychological. 23.6% of violent behaviors were physical. There were significant relationships between domestic violence against pregnant mothers and low educational level of husband, type of insurance, unwanted pregnancy from viewpoint of husband, low economic status from viewpoint of mother, use of alcohol (p < 0.05), unwanted pregnancy from viewpoint of mother, history of physical violence in mother's family (p < 0.01), cigarette smoking by husband and history of physical violence in husband's family (p < 0.001). There were significant differences between two groups regarding the beginning time of prenatal care (p<0.05), mean weight gain during pregnancy (p < 0.01), and use of Iron and Acid folic during pregnancy (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Results of this study were consistent with findings of previous similar studies, specifically regarding relationship between violence and pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, in order to promoting mothers' health and improvement of pregnancy outcomes, collaboration of all, specifically health care workers are recommended