Abstract
To determine prevalence and factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant women seeking antenatal
care. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Kisumu District Hospital, Kenya amongst randomly selected pregnant women.
A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Participants self-reported about their own IPV experience (lifetime,
12 months prior to and during index pregnancy) and associated risk factors. Data were analyzed using Epi-info. The mean age
of the 300 participants was 23.7 years. One hundred and ten (37 %) of them experienced at least one form of IPV during pregnancy.
Psychological violence was the most common (29 %), followed by sexual (12 %), and then physical (10 %). Women who experienced
IPV during pregnancy were more likely to have witnessed maternal abuse in childhood (aOR 2.27, 95 % CI = 1.05–4.89), been
in a polygamous union (aOR 2.48, 95 % CI = 1.06–5.8), been multiparous (aOR 1.94, 95 % CI = 1.01–3.32) or had a partner who
drank alcohol (aOR 2.32, 95 % CI = 1.21–4.45). Having a partner who attained tertiary education was protective against IPV
(aOR 0.37, 95 % CI = 0.16–0.83). We found no association between HIV status and IPV. IPV is common among women seeking antenatal
care at Kisumu District Hospital. Health care providers should be alerted to the possibility of IPV during pregnancy in women
who witnessed maternal abuse in childhood, are multiparous, polygamous, have a partner who drinks alcohol or has low level
education. Screening for IPV, support and referral is urgently needed to help reduce the burden experienced by pregnant women
and their unborn babies.
care. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Kisumu District Hospital, Kenya amongst randomly selected pregnant women.
A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Participants self-reported about their own IPV experience (lifetime,
12 months prior to and during index pregnancy) and associated risk factors. Data were analyzed using Epi-info. The mean age
of the 300 participants was 23.7 years. One hundred and ten (37 %) of them experienced at least one form of IPV during pregnancy.
Psychological violence was the most common (29 %), followed by sexual (12 %), and then physical (10 %). Women who experienced
IPV during pregnancy were more likely to have witnessed maternal abuse in childhood (aOR 2.27, 95 % CI = 1.05–4.89), been
in a polygamous union (aOR 2.48, 95 % CI = 1.06–5.8), been multiparous (aOR 1.94, 95 % CI = 1.01–3.32) or had a partner who
drank alcohol (aOR 2.32, 95 % CI = 1.21–4.45). Having a partner who attained tertiary education was protective against IPV
(aOR 0.37, 95 % CI = 0.16–0.83). We found no association between HIV status and IPV. IPV is common among women seeking antenatal
care at Kisumu District Hospital. Health care providers should be alerted to the possibility of IPV during pregnancy in women
who witnessed maternal abuse in childhood, are multiparous, polygamous, have a partner who drinks alcohol or has low level
education. Screening for IPV, support and referral is urgently needed to help reduce the burden experienced by pregnant women
and their unborn babies.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-1015-x
- Authors
- Lyndah A. Makayoto, Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nairobi, Kenya
- Jared Omolo, Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nairobi, Kenya
- Abel M. Kamweya, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
- Valarie S. Harder, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05452, USA
- Joseph Mutai, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875