Physical and psychological violence against pregnant women in a district of Callao

Abstract

Violence against women is a public health problem. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of physical and psychological violence in pregnant women. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with pregnant women attended at the Primary Healthcare Center of Mi Peru district located in Callao Region. In total 122 pregnant women participated with a mean age of 26.2 years $SD=6.2$; Range: 14 to 43), 20.5% $(n=25)$ were victims of physical violence at least once in their lifetime and 4.1% $(n=5)$ in the present pregnancy; the psychological violence at least once in their lifetime occurred in 25.4% $(n=31)$, while in the present pregnancy it was reported in 8.2% $(n=10)$. In both types of violence, the aggressor was ex-partner and victim's family, with the equanimous aggressor, motivated by jealousy and issues economical.