Prevalence of Gender Based Violence Amongst Pregnant Women Accessing Ante-Natal Care in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka

Background : Gender-based violence (GBV) involves men and women, whereby the female is the victim in most cases; it arises as a result of unequal power relationships between men and women. Violence is suffered by a woman because she is a woman, and violence extremely affects women [1]. Methods: This research exercise was conducted in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Awka. Questionnaires were checked for errors and omissions at the end of each day. Quantitative data were entered into the computer and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and appropriate test for associations. Cross – tabulations were done and chi – square test was used to test for associations between variables at 5% level of significance. Data errors were checked for and corrected. Results: 12.3% of the respondents have experienced some form of gender-based violence while pregnant; The most common type of violence seen amongst the pregnant women was physical abuse which grossed 65.2%; The most common cause of violence amongst the study population is misunderstanding on diverse issues arising in the family; the study identified the commonest perpetrators of GBV against women to be their Husbands as it grossed 73.4%. Conclusion: Gender based violence remains a major health concern in the society, more so in pregnant women. In the study above, 12.3% were victims of violence and this is a mirror to show how much more is seen in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Keywords: Gender Based Violence; Pregnant Women; Ante-Natal Care DOI : 10.7176/JMPB/54-03 Publication date : April 30 th 2019