Effect of intimate partner violence in pregnancy on maternal and perinatal outcomes at the Korle Bu teaching hospital, Ghana: An observational cross sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between intimate partner violence and pregnancy outcomes. Methods:This was a descriptive study of sociodemographic characteristics of participants, their partners and intimate partner violence. Participants' delivery records were reviewed for additional medical and obstetric information and abused women and their neonates followed until discharge. χ 2 and Student t test were used to assess associations, followed by logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A value of P less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The study included 270 participants of whom 84 (31.1%) reported experiencing domestic violence during pregnancy. One hundred and fourteen (42%) had experienced domestic violence pre-pregnancy and 69 (60.5%) of these women experienced further domestic violence during pregnancy. Emotional violence was commonest 80/270 (29.6%) and no sexual violence was reported. Domestic violence declined from 42% (pre-pregnancy) to 31.1% (in-pregnancy) (P = 0.009). Risk factors during pregnancy were young age (15-24 years; OR 5.8, 95% CI1.65-20.38), nulliparity (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.90-7.41), and partner's alcohol consumption (OR 5.04, 95% CI 2.50-10.13). Associated outcomes included late prenatal booking, gestational hypertension, and cephalopelvic disproportion. Conclusion:We found high prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy, preponderance of emotional abuse, and decline of physical abuse. Nulliparity, younger age, and partner's alcohol consumption predicted abuse. Late-booking, gestational hypertension, cephalopelvic disproportion, and fetal distress were associated.

Difference in the mode of delivery in obstetric patients who have experienced intimate partner or sexual violence compared to those who have not: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Our search identified 2418 unique titles and 30 studies met inclusion criteria (Supporting Information S2: Figure S1 for PRISMA flow diagram; n = 280 864, Supporting Information S1: Table S1). 15,16,23–50 The majority of studies were prospective cohort studies ( n = 17); there were six prospective cross‐sectional studies, three retrospective studies, two case control studies, one study described as “comparative,” and one study described as “prospective descriptive longitudinal study.” Included studies were conducted in 19 different countries with 12 (40%) completed in Asia, 6 (20%) conducted in Africa as well as Europe, 5 (17%) in North America, and 1 (0.3%) in South America. 12 (40%) of studies were multi‐centre.…”

Ghanaian women’s experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) during group antenatal care: a brief report from a cluster randomised controlled trial

“…Rather, we noticed higher reported rates of sexual and emotional violence in the postpartum period among participants in the Group ANC intervention. This could be related to elevated rates of IPV that have been reported among Ghanaian women during pregnancy [ 3 ], or it could indicate a better understanding by the women enrolled in Group ANC of the different and often less recognised forms of IPV (e.g. sexual and emotional).…”

“…Alangea and colleagues explored rates of IPV among a population-based sample of 2000 reproductive-age women and found that the rates over the last year were 24.6% for emotional violence, 15.5% for physical violence, and 11.8% for sexual violence [ 2 ]. During the reproductive age, particularly during pregnancy, IPV can lead to detrimental outcomes for both the mother and the foetus, including gestational hypertension, low birth weight, foetal distress, and maternal death [ 3 ]. Researchers have identified IPV as a barrier in accessing and utilising antenatal care (ANC) [ 4 ].…”