PREDICTORS OF KNOWLEDGE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING DISTRICT HEALTH CLINICS

Background: Domestic violence may occur at any stage of women’s life including during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of knowledge on domestic violence and to identify factors associated with high knowledge on domestic violence among pregnant women attending district health clinics. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among registered pregnant women attending Sepang District Health Clinics. A stratified proportionate to size sampling was used to determine sample size from each clinic, and simple random sampling was used to select respondents from the antenatal registry. Information on knowledge on domestic violence were collected using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 23, and p-value of <0.05 is considered significant. Result: A total of 300 eligible women were identified and 291 respondents consented and completed the questionnaire which yielded a response rate of 97%. Majority of the respondents were Malay (85.6%) between 20 to 40 years of age (97.9%). More than three quarters of respondents possessed high knowledge on domestic violence. Factors associated with high level of knowledge were age group of 30 years and above, Malay, having tertiary education and monthly household income of above RM3000. Predictors for high level of knowledge on domestic violence were monthly household income (MHI) between RM3000 to RM5999 (AOR 2.792, 95% CI 1.426, 5.467); and MHI RM6000 and above (AOR 2.675, 95% CI 1.080, 6.626). Conclusion: Majority of respondents have high level of knowledge on domestic violence. High monthly household income (above RM3000) is the predictor for high knowledge on domestic violence. Keywords: Domestic violence, knowledge, pregnant women, Sepang district, Health clinics.