INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN PREGNANCY: A UNIVERSAL HEALTH IMPEDIMENT.

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence in pregnancy is a hidden global pandemic, a hindrance to universal health. It interferes with the Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5.

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence and factors contributing to intimate partner violence in pregnancy (IPVP) among antenatal attendees in a tertiary health facility in Anambra state.

Method: The study was a facility-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 400 respondents at the Ante-Natal clinics of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 30.0 years (±5.3). The overall prevalence of IPVP was 27.3%. The prevalence of psychological, controlling behaviours, physical and sexual IPV were 17.0%, 16.0%, 5.3%, and 1.0% respectively. The factors associated with IPVP were experiencing IPV before pregnancy (OR:21.354, 95%CI:7.329-63.077, P =0.0001), the educational status of the partner (OR: 4.429; 95%Cl:1.616-12.136; P=0.009), justifying husband to beat spouse if she offends him (OR:4.376, 95% CI:1.737-11.024,C P <0.001), witnessed IPV during childhood or adolescence (OR:2.311, 95% CI:1.439-3.711, P <0.001).

Conclusion: Creating awareness, screening of pregnant women, and effective interventions will reduce IPV in pregnancy.