Domestic violence and pregnancy intendedness: A cross-sectional study in Nepal

Abstract

Background

Research indicates that women’s control over their fertility may be impacted by intimate partner and domestic violence. This study aimed to investigate the association between domestic violence and unintended pregnancy in Nepal.

Methods

This study used data (N = 2129) collected from a baseline questionnaire in an ongoing randomized controlled trial which enrolls pregnant women attending routine antenatal care at two hospital sites. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, gestational age between 12–22 weeks, and consent to participate. Domestic violence (DV) was assessed using the Nepalese version of the Abuse Assessment Screen (N-AAS), while pregnancy intendedness was assessed using a modified version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP).

Results

Nearly one in four women (23.8%) experienced unintended pregnancies. Women reporting emotional DV since marriage had increased odds of unintended pregnancy, also after adjusting for age, education, ethnicity, family type, settlement area, income, and number of children [adjusted OR: 2.52 (1.67––3.82)]. Similar results were observed for women reporting any DV since marriage [aOR: 2.45 (1.65––3.63)]. The association between emotional violence and unintended pregnancy was present for women experiencing this violence from their intimate partners [aOR: 2.65 (1.03––6.88)] and family [aOR: 2.20 (1.36––3.57)].

Conclusion

The findings indicate an association between unintended pregnancy and experiences of emotional and domestic violence since marriage. Addressing domestic violence in pregnant women who report unintended pregnancies could mitigate further risks to their maternal and reproductive health.