Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Maternity, Gynecology & Obstetric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Egypt
2
Community Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Egypt Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Egypt
Abstract
Violence against pregnant women is a significant social and a major health problem in the
world. It was estimated that 25.0% of women worldwide have been victims of intimate partner
violence. This study was aimed to assess the effect of domestic violence endured by pregnant
women on maternal and neonatal outcomes. A prospective study was carried out at ante-natal
clinics in 5 health centers in Port-Said city. The study subjects were 400 users of antenatal care
services. An interview questionnaire and assessment sheet were designed and utilized to collect
the necessary data. The results of the current study revealed that (39.5%) of women were
exposed to domestic violence in the current pregnancy, and domestic violence can take many
forms including physical (38.6%), emotional (95.6%), sexual (13.9%), and economic violence
(65.1%). It was found that in abused exposure group, the gestational age was 38.14 weeks,
premature rupture of membrane( PROM) was 28.6%, and premature birth 14.1% ,while, in not
abused group, was 38.85 weeks, 5.7% and 2% respectively with statistically significant
differences (p- value < 0.001). Also using the odds ratio shows that the risk of PROM in abused
exposure group was 6.6 times more than those who are not in abused exposure group, and risk of
premature birth in abused exposure group was 7.95 times more than those who are not in abused
exposure group. Regarding newborns parameters, the mean length of infants, in abused was less
than that in not abused exposure group with statistically significant difference (p- value < 0.001).
It was concluded that violence during pregnancy may be more common than many conditions for
which women are routinely screened or evaluated during pregnancy including preeclampsia,
placenta previa, and gestational diabetes. Also it has an adverse effect on mothers and neonates,
therefore, the study recommended the importance of development and dissemination of training
courses and education programs for the decision makers, workers in health care settings and
antenatal clinics to raise awareness of the seriousness of domestic violence facing pregnant
women and how to address and manage it.
Keywords
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