Background: Intimate partner violence may be more prevalent during pregnancy as women are more vulnerable. Aims: To determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence and associated factors among pregnant women at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 pregnant women. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Intimate partner violence was measured using the revised Conflict Tactile Scale 2. Findings: The overall prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy was 27.8%. Household average monthly income, experiences of intimate partner violence before pregnancy and marital conflicts were independently associated with intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Conclusions: Screening should be done during antenatal care among women with low household income, marital conflicts, and history of intimate partner violence before pregnancy to identify and manage cases of intimate partner violence. More research is needed to identify interventions for reduction of intimate partner violence during pregnancy.
Background/aims Intimate partner violence during pregnancy is associated with adverse health outcomes for mothers and their unborn babies. Whereas the literature on intimate partner violence in the general population is extensive, little is known about this type of violence among pregnant teenagers, especially in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with intimate partner violence among pregnant teenagers attending antenatal care clinics in Lira District, northern Uganda. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 310 pregnant teenagers attending antenatal care clinics at the Lira Regional Referral Hospital and Ogur Health Center IV. Eligible teenagers were recruited consecutively until the required sample size was accrued. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Intimate partner violence was determined using the Revised Conflict Tactile Scale 2. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with violence during pregnancy, while considering potential confounding factors. Results The overall prevalence of intimate partner violence among pregnant teenagers was 40.6%. The prevalence of psychological violence was 37.1%, sexual assault was 29%, and physical violence was 24.8%. Partner alcohol intake (odds ratio=5.00, P=0.000); polygamy (odds ratio=2.80, P=0.001) and the inability of the teenage mother to make major decisions in the home (odds ratio=2.42, P=0.006) were independently associated with intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Conclusions Approximately 4 in 10 pregnant teenagers in Lira district, northern Uganda experienced intimate partner violence. This is higher than has been reported in the general population of pregnant women in Uganda. Intimate partner violence screening and counselling should be part of the routine antenatal care package.
Background Maternal and Neonatal MortalityGlobal maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has remained unacceptably high at 216 per 100,000 live births. It is estimated that 830 women die from pregnancy-related complications around the world every day [1]. In low-income countries, one in 16 women dies of complications from pregnancy. In developed countries, the ratio is markedly lower, at one in 2,800 [2].Uganda, situated in East Africa, shoulders a high MMR of 336 per 100,000 live births, largely attributable to hemorrhage (34%), hypertension (19%), abortions (9%), sepsis (8%), and indirect causes such as malaria, HIV, and other infections (18%) [3]. Uganda also has a high neonatal mortality rate (27 per 1,000 live births), mostly caused by birth asphyxia and trauma (28.6%), prematurity (27.9%), and sepsis (18.2%) [4].Proven lifesaving interventions to prevent or treat the causes of maternal and newborn deaths are well known. They include neonatal resuscitation [5], kangaroo mother/father care [6], cord care with chlorhexidine 7.1% [7], antibiotic therapy, helping mother survive bleeding after birth, helping mother survive preeclampsia and eclampsia, and low-dose, high-frequency training in basic
Background More than half of pregnancies in Uganda are unintended, and nearly a third of these end in abortion. However, little research has focused on women living with HIV’s subjective experiences following induced abortion. We explored how women living with HIV subjectively experience induced abortions in health facilities in Lira District, Uganda. Materials and Methods This was a descriptive-phenomenological study between October and November 2022. The study was conducted among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) who were HIV positive and had undergone induced abortion following an unintended pregnancy. Purposive sampling was used to sample 30 participants who could speak to the research aims and have experience with the phenomenon under scrutiny. The principle of information power was used to estimate the sample size. We conducted face-to-face, in-depth interviews to collect data. Data were presented as direct quotes while providing a contextual understanding of the lived experiences of the study participants. Results The results showed that the major causes of induced abortion were financial constraints, concern for the unborn babies, unplanned pregnancy, and complex relationships. Regarding induced abortion-related experiences, three themes emerged: loss of family support, internalized and perceived stigma, and feelings of guilt and regret. Conclusion This study highlights the lived experiences of women living with HIV following an induced abortion. The study shows that women living with HIV had induced abortions due to numerous reasons, including financial concerns, complicated relationships, and a fear of infecting their unborn babies. However, after induced abortion, the women living with HIV faced several challenges like loss of family support, stigma, and feelings of guilt and regret. Based on HIV-infected women who underwent induced abortion and an unexpected pregnancy, they may need mental health services to reduce the stigma associated with induced abortion.
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is associated with adverse health outcomes for the mother and her unborn baby. Whereas the literature on IPV in the general population is extensive, little is known about IPV among pregnant teenagers especially in resource limited settings. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with IPV among pregnant teenagers attending antenatal care clinics (ANC) in Lira District, Northern Uganda. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 310 pregnant teenagers attending ANC at Lira regional referral hospital and Ogur health center IV. Eligible teenagers were recruited consecutively until the required sample size was accrued. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. IPV was determined using the Revised Conflict Tactile Scale (CTS2) screening tool. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with IPV during pregnancy while considering potential confounding factors. Results: The overall prevalence of IPV among pregnant teenagers was 40.6% [95% CI: 35.13-46.34]. The prevalence of psychological violence was 37.1%, [95% CI: 31.70-42.74]; sexual assault 29%, [95% CI: 24.04-34.43] and physical violence was 24.8%, [95% CI: 20.13-30.04]. Partner alcohol intake (OR=5.00, 95%CI: 2.87-8.71, P =0.000); polygamy (OR=2.80, 95%CI: 1.49-5.23, p=0.001); and inability to make major decision in the home by the teenage mother (OR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.29-4.54: P=0.006); were independently associated with IPV during pregnancy. Conclusion: About 4 in 10 of pregnant teenagers in Lira district, Northern Uganda experience IPV. This is higher than what has been reported in the general population of pregnant women in Uganda. Teenagers were more likely to experience IPV if they were in a polygamous relationship, were unable to make major decisions in the home and had an alcoholic partner. IPV screening and counselling should be part of the routine antenatal care package. Key words; Intimate partner violence, teenage pregnancy, factors associated.
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