Domestic violence in pregnancy: prevalence and characteristics of the pregnant woman

Almeida, Fátima Susana Jesus; Coutinho, Emília Carvalho; Duarte, João Carvalho; Chaves, Cláudia Margarida Balula; Nelas, Paula Alexandra Batista; Amaral, Odete Pereira; Parreira, Maria Vitoria Barros De Castro

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.26/37011

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Authors

Almeida, Fátima Susana Jesus

Coutinho, Emília Carvalho

Duarte, João Carvalho

Chaves, Cláudia Margarida Balula

Nelas, Paula Alexandra Batista

Amaral, Odete Pereira

Parreira, Maria Vitoria Barros De Castro

Abstract(s)

Aims and objectives. To determine the prevalence of domestic violence (physical, psychological or sexual) during pregnancy and to characterise these women. Background. Pregnant women are not immune to domestic violence and therefore may be subject to any form of physical, psychological or sexual violence by partners. Health professionals’ knowledge and awareness are important in the identification and intervention of pregnant women who experience domestic violence. Methods. Quantitative, descriptive, correlational study, using a nonprobabilistic convenience sample consisting of a total of 852 postpartum women, of whom 370 were experiencing domestic violence according to the criteria adopted through the modified scale of prevalence, applied between February–June 2012 in two Portuguese public health institutions. Authorisation was given by the Ethics Committees/Administration Councils of both institutions involved and the National Committee of Data Protection. Results. The prevalence of DV during pregnancy was 43 4% (physical violence – 21 9%; psychological violence – 43 2%; and sexual violence – 19 6%). These women had the following profile: immigrant (OR = 5 70; IC95% 3 32–9 78), non-Caucasian (OR = 6 27; IC95% 3 76–10 46), single/divorced/widowed (OR = 2 28; IC95% 1 70–3 05), academic qualifications up to year 9 (OR = 4 94; IC95% 3 31–7 37); between 10–12 years of schooling (OR = 2 36; IC95% 1 70–3 29); unemployed (OR = 2 01; IC95% 1 50–2 69); and with a monthly income <1000 euros (OR = 1 90; IC95% 1 44–2 50). Through logistic regression, the following protective factors have been identified: nationality (Portuguese), race (Caucasian) and place of residence (city). Conclusions. Almost half of the sample had experienced some form of domestic violence. This is associated with certain sociodemographic factors identified in the study. Psychological violence was the most prevalent during pregnancy.

Keywords

Adult Battered Women Domestic Violence Ethnic Groups Female Humans Logistic Models Maternal Health Services Portugal Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications Prevalence Surveys and Questionnaires Perinatal Care