DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: PREVALENCE DURING PREGNANCY AND ASSOCIATED MATERNAL OUTCOMES

Violence against pregnant women is a public health problem. Violence during
pregnancy has maternal, fetal and future neonate outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate
the prevalence of domestic violence against pregnant women and its relationship with preterm labor,
abortion, kind of delivery, hospitalization during pregnancy and vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
Materials & Methods: Women aged 18-39 who referred to hospitals in Mahabad and Bonab cities in
2009-2010 were recruited in this study. A total of 1300 pregnant women who reported a birth (live or
fetal death, term or preterm delivery) or an abortion were chosen by a convenience sampling method
via a self – constructed questionnaire, and all were asked to share their experiences of violence during
pregnancy and self-report maternal outcomes.
Results: Of these pregnant women, 1121 (86.25%) indicated that their husband (80%) or relatives,
such as their mother-in-law (20%), was violent or abusive towards them during their pregnancy. A
significant association between domestic violence and abortion (aOR=3.3 CI 95% 1.75, 5.26),
cesarean section (aOR=2.25 CI 95% 1.70, 5.79) and vaginal bleeding (aOR= 2.74 CI 95% 1.4, 1.8)
was shown.
Conclusion: Based on relationship between domestic violence during pregnancy with increased risks
of abortion, caesarean section, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, a routine screening at perinatal
clinics is suggested to identify at-risk cases and provide necessary health services.