Domestic violence: A cross‐sectional study among pregnant and postpartum women

Abstract

Methods:We interviewed women attending antenatal and postpartum care services in a Brazilian public tertiary woman's hospital in Campinas, São Paulo, between July 2019 and September 2021. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires previously used in healthcare settings: Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS); Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST); Hurt, Insulted, Threatened with Harm and Screamed (HITS). We evaluated the relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics of women and domestic/intimate violence using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses.Results: Of the 600 pregnant and postpartum women interviewed, 138 (23%) had suffered any abuse. Some participants disclosed physical violence during pregnancy (2.3%) and during the last 12 months (5.3%). The partner was identified as the main aggressor in most of the cases (60%). When women had a partner, 3.5% reported domestic violence and 6.7% disclosed intimate partner violence during pregnancy or postpartum period. Women with non-white skin colour (OR = 1.53; 95% CI 1.01-2.34; p = .048), gestational age ≤ 13 weeks (OR = 3.41; 95% CI 1.03-11.25; p = .044) and in postpartum period (OR = 2.81; 95% CI 1.32-5.99; p = .008) were more likely to experience domestic violence at some time in their lives. Women interviewed before the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to disclose that they had suffered any abuse. Conclusion:Experience of violence during pregnancy and postpartum period was more frequent in women with non-white skin colour, in their first gestational trimester and in the postpartum period, and was more reported before the COVID-19 pandemic. Antenatal and postpartum care services could be safe places to support violence survivors.Impact: Pregnant and postpartum women are a vulnerable group to experiencing domestic violence/intimate partner violence. Violence can negatively affect women's

Perceptions of Brazilian women at a public obstetric outpatient clinic regarding domestic violence: a qualitative study

“…The study protocol18 and the quantitative research19 were published, and additional details about the research design, methods and results of the quantitative phase can be found in both publications.…”

“…The hospital where the research was conducted has a referral system installed for domestic violence survivors. It was established that those women who disclosed current domestic violence experiences must be offered social and psychological support from the regular hospital staff, as well as information about specialised services in their communities 19. The participants’ statements were identified with consecutive numerals to maintain anonymity.…”

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“…Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health issue and human rights threat worldwide [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. The World Health Organization reported [ 9 ] that 27% of women aged 15–49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from their partners, and 13% of women have experienced such events in the past 12 months.…”

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