Domestic violence during pregnancy: The prevalence of physical injuries, substance use, abortions and miscarriages

Abstract

The results suggest that in antenatal and obstetric clinics, emphasis should be focused on previous history of abuse and a complete physical examination of the women. Since bruises often were located at hidden areas of the body, it is of importance to scrutinize those sites as part of a routine examination. It is also important to look for common defensive marks on the forearms. The partner's cigarette and alcohol use is also an important piece of information regarding risk factors connected to domestic violence.

Physical Abuse During Pregnancy

“…Our study found that age was a confounder. As found in some studies (11,15), partners having a drinking problem was associated with physical abuse, although this contrasts with findings of Berenson (10) and Webster (14). Women living with a partner who had a drinking problem were approximately 2 times more likely than others to suffer violence, and religion was an effect modifier in this association.…”

“…Moreover, Webster (14) reported that the severity of abuse increased with parity. In contrast Hedin (15) found no evidence that parity was associated with physical abuse. We suggest that parity could be associated with abuse because it is linked to economic problems.…”

“…The association between the woman's age and physical abuse is not consistent with previous studies. Webster (14) found that the prevalence of abuse decreased with age whereas others found no association with age (11,(15)(16)(17). Our study found that age was a confounder.…”

“…We suggest that parity could be associated with abuse because it is linked to economic problems. Women living in a de facto relationship were twice as likely to (10,11,(14)(15)(16)(17) and suggest that couples living in a de facto relationship may not be prepared to acknowledge that their relationship is abusive or unstable. The association between the woman's age and physical abuse is not consistent with previous studies.…”

Domestic violence – a women's health issue of great consequence

“…In the literature prevalence figures of violence from man to woman has ranged from 9.7 to 29.7% and, similarly, violence to pregnant women from 0.9 to 21.1% (2). Although most of the research on woman abuse originates from North America, there are some Nordic studies showing very similar prevalence figures.…”