Physical violence during pregnancy in Peru: Proportion, geographical distribution, and associated factors

Abstract

Objective: Estimate the proportion, geographic distribution and sociodemographic factors associated with physical violence during pregnancy between 2016 and 2018. Material and methods: Secondary analysis of the Demographic and Family Health Survey, which included respondents whether they presented physical violence during pregnancy in the last 12 months. Results: The proportion of physical violence was 9,9% [95%CI:9,6-10,4%] during 2016, 9,2% [95%CI:8,8-9,6%] during 2017 and 8,6% [95%CI:8,3-8,9%] during 2018, The regions with the highest proportion were Puno, Arequipa and Apurimac during the 3 years. Among the associated factors, the residue in rural areas (RP:0,49; p=0,011) and be very rich (RP:0,63; p=0,029) was protective; while they were at risk of not presenting studies (RP:1,87; p=0,014), the cohabiting marital status (RP:1,51; p=0,001), separated (RP:3,56; p<0,001), showing an age between 40 a 49 years (RP:1,79; p=0,012) and that partner drinks alcohol (RP:1,61; p<0,001). Conclusion: The proportion of violence in Peru has been decreasing. The factors that predispose this phenomenon are the wealth index, educational level, marital status, and the age of the pregnant woman.

Physical Violence during Pregnancy and Its Implications at Birth: Analysis of a Population Survey, 2019

“…Another study conducted in Tanzania showed the same association (aOR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.30-7.70) [15]. The evidence on the association between physical violence during pregnancy and this type of outcome is rare in Latin American countries, such as Peru, in which 1 in 10 pregnant women suffers physical violence [3].…”

“…Similarly, the prevalence was highest in Oceania (19.1%) and Africa (16.3%), followed by South America (9.8%) [2]. In Peru, the prevalence of physical violence in pregnant women in 2019 was estimated at 8.6% [3]. In this regard, physical violence during pregnancy could affect the mother indirectly through the development of depression, anxiety, drug abuse, and alcoholism, as well as directly due to possible abdominal damage and placental abruption [1].…”

Asociación entre violencia familiar durante el embarazo y el bajo peso al nacer: análisis de la Encuesta Demográfica y Salud Familiar 2019

“…De manera similar, la prevalencia fue más alta en Oceanía (19,1 %) y África (16,3 %), seguida de América del Sur (9,8%) (2). En Perú, la prevalencia de violencia física en gestantes se estimó en 8,6% en 2019 (3). En este sentido, la violencia física durante el embarazo podría afectar a la madre indirectamente a través del desarrollo de depresión, ansiedad, abuso de drogas y alcoholismo, así como directamente debido a un posible daño abdominal y desprendimiento de placenta (1).…”