Intimate partner and nonpartner violence against pregnant women in rural Haiti

Abstract

Objective To examine the association between violence experienced by pregnant Haitian women in the previous 6 months and pregnancy-related symptom distress. Methods A total of 200 women seeking prenatal care at community health dispensaries in the Artibonite Valley were interviewed. Results Over 4 in 10 women (44.0%) reported that they had experienced violence in the 6 months prior to interview; 77.8% of these women reported that the violence was perpetrated by an intimate partner. Those who experienced intimate partner violence reported significantly greater pregnancy-related symptom distress (β=0.23, P=0.001). No significant differences between violence perpetrated by family members or others and reporting of symptoms were observed (β=0.06, P=0.38). Conclusion The findings indicate the need to integrate violence screening, resources, and primary prevention into prenatal care in rural Haiti.

‘It’s Not a Gift When It Comes with Price’: A Qualitative Study of Transactional Sex between UN Peacekeepers and Haitian Citizens

“…For instance, in practice, rape within marriage is not prosecuted within the Haitian court system despite legal advances over the past 20 years which have clearly defined rape to include forced sexed which occurs in an existing romantic relationship. Traditional gender roles in Haitian culture subjugate a woman's desires to that of her male partners leaving reluctant women with the perception that they are forced or obligated to have sex even when they desire to refrain (Faedi 2008;Joshi et al 2014;Lankenau 2012;Rahill et al 2015;Small et al 2008).…”

Intimate partner violence among pregnant women in Rwanda, its associated risk factors and relationship to ANC services attendance: a population-based study

“…In African countries, the overall prevalence rates of IPV during pregnancy are some of the highest in the world, as high as 25, 34 and 61% in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and the Gambia respectively 3 6 8 14. It has been suggested that IPV against women and its effects may be exacerbated in resource-limited settings, such as Rwanda and many other African countries, due to gender inequality and cultural and economic barriers that restrain women in becoming economically independent 15 16. This situation compels women to accept violence exposure from the husband/partner, and the healthcare services are most often inadequate in terms of identifying abused women and offering support.…”

Intimate partner violence and severe maternal morbidity among pregnant and postpartum women in São Paulo, Brazil

“…IPV during pregnancy has been associated with a variety of obstetrical risks, including late prenatal care, self-care deficits, abusive use of tobacco, alcohol and other substances, suicide attempts, depression, posttraumatic stress syndrome, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, pregnancy during adolescence, vulvovaginitis, bleeding, miscarriage, urinary tract infections, in addition to deficits in weight gain during pregnancy and violent deaths during pregnancy [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] . More severe consequences during pregnancy are described, including placenta previa, uterine rupture, hypertensive disorders, and chorioamnionitis, among others [9][10][11][12][13] .…”