Prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual abuse among pregnant women in six European countries

Lukasse, Mirjam; Schroll, Anne Mette; Ryding, Elsa Lena; Campbell, Jacquelyn; Karro, Helle; Kristjansdottir, Hildur; Laanpere, Made; Steingrímsdóttir, Þóra; Tabor, Ann; Temmerman, Marleen; Parys, An Sofie Van; Wangel, Anne-Marie; Schei, Berit

doi:10.1111/aogs.12392

Cited by 57 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Selection to specialist gynaecological care partly explains this difference. Our prevalence figure is also somewhat lower than in the Bidens study,[13] where Icelandic women were recruited when attending routine prenatal ultrasound at the national university hospital. It found the prevalence of any lifetime emotional abuse was 16.3%, physical abuse 31.4% and sexual abuse 21.1%.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 54%

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History of violence and subjective health of mother and child

Tómasdóttir

Kristjansdottir

Björnsdóttir

et al. 2016

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

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ObjectiveTo study the self-reported prevalence of experienced violence among a cohort of women about two years after giving birth, their health during pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and their experience of their child’s health.Setting and subjectsIn 2011, a total of 657 women participated in phase III of the Childbirth and Health Cohort Study in Icelandic Primary Health Care, 18 to 24 months after delivery. The women had previously participated in phase I around pregnancy week 16 and phase II 5–6 months after delivery. Data were collected by postal questionnaires.Main outcome measuresWomen’s reported history of experienced violence, sociodemographic and obstetric background, self-perceived health, the use of medications and their child’s perceived health.ResultsIn phase III, 16% of women reported experiencing violence. These women felt less support from their current partner (p < 0.001), compared to those who did not report violence. Their pregnancies were more frequently unplanned (p < 0.001), deliveries more often by caesarean section (p < 0.05), and their self-perceived health was worse (p < 0.001). They reported more mental and somatic health complaints, and their use of antidepressant drugs was higher (p < 0.001). Furthermore, women with a history of violence considered their child’s general health as worse (p = 0.008).ConclusionsOur study confirms that a history of violence is common among women. A history of violence is associated with various maternal health problems during and after pregnancy, a higher rate of caesarean sections and maternal reports of health problems in their child 18–24 months after birth. KEY POINTS Violence is a major concern worldwide. Understanding the impact of violence on human health and developing effective preventive measures are important elements of any public health agenda. • The reported prevalence of experiencing violence was 16% among women attending antenatal care in the primary health care setting in Iceland. • Women with a history of violence reported worse health in general during pregnancy and delivered more often by caesarean section, compared to women with no such history. • Mothers with a history of violence also evaluated the general health of their child as worse than women with no such history. • The findings of this study support the importance of recognizing and addressing experienced violence among women in primary care.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 54%

“…[13] In 2014, The Lancet published a series of papers on violence against women and girls, with a call for more research in the field, including regional prevalence variations, the wider consequences of violence on health and effective preventive measures. [14]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

History of violence and subjective health of mother and child

Tómasdóttir

Kristjansdottir

Björnsdóttir

et al. 2016

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

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“…In our former studies (the first and the second parts of this project), the prevalence of DV during early pregnancy was shown to be 1 % in early [12] and 2 % in late pregnancy [13]. Another report from six European countries that used a considerable wider definition for the duration of experienced violence among pregnant women showed a prevalence in Sweden of 3.0 % which was the same as in Belgium and in Iceland, whereas in Denmark it was 3.3 %, in Norway 3.7 % and in Estonia 6.5 % [14]. However, the data is not truly comparable as the time point for the recruitment to the studies differs as well as the contexts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increasing prevalence and incidence of domestic violence during the pregnancy and one and a half year postpartum, as well as risk factors: -a longitudinal cohort study in Southern Sweden

Finnbogadóttir

Dykes

2016

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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BackgroundDomestic violence is a global health problem as well as a violation against human rights. The aim of this study was to explore prevalence and incidence of domestic violence during pregnancy and 1 to 1.5 years postpartum as well as to explore the history of violence among new mothers in the southwestern region of Sweden. In addition, the aim was to explore the association between domestic violence postpartum and possible risk factors.MethodsThis is a longitudinal cohort-study including pregnant women ≥ 18 years of age. Total 1939 pregnant women were recruited to the study and requested to answer three questionnaires (QI-III) during pregnancy and postpartum. Statistical analysis were descriptive statistics, logistic regression and multiple regression with Odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI).ResultsThe response rate for those who received the Q-III (n = 755) at a Child Welfare Center was almost 97 % (n = 731). When all three questionnaires were answered the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy irrespective of type or severity was reported by 2.5 % (n = 40/1573). At 1 to 1.5 years postpartum the prevalence of domestic violence had increased to 3.3 % (n = 23/697). The incidence was 14 per 1000 women during pregnancy and 17.2 per 1000 women postpartum. The strongest risk factor for domestic violence reported at1-1.5 years postpartum was a history of violence whereby all of the women (n = 23) who had revealed their exposure to domestic violence postpartum also reported a history of violence (p < 0.001). Being single/living apart gave a 12.9 times higher risk for domestic violence postpartum (AOR 12.9; 95 % CI: 4.5–37.1). Having several symptoms of depression and a low score on the SOC-scale gave a 3.5 and 3.0 times higher risk respectively (AOR 3.5; 95 % CI: 1.2–10.4) and (AOR 3.0; 95 % CI 1.1–8.3).ConclusionDomestic violence increases as the pregnancy develops and postpartum. A history of violence and being single/living apart may be strong indicators for domestic violence during pregnancy as well as postpartum. Also, having symptoms of depression are associated with domestic violence both during pregnancy and postpartum. Collaboration between health care providers at Antenatal and Welfare centres is essential.

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“…Most of the differences between the countries in our study disappeared when all the a priori selected confounders were adjusted for in the logistic regression models. Thus, the low tendency of Belgian women to prefer a CS may be due to younger age and less experiences of emotional, physical and sexual abuse [23]. Possibly they have great respect for and trust in their obstetrician and expect that the doctor knows best.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A detailed report of the prevalence of abuse in the six participating countries has been published [23]. Women were defined as having experienced any abuse if they answered yes to at least one of the questions about sexual, emotional or physical abuse.…”

Section: Fear Of Childbirth Was Assessed By the Wijma Delivery Expectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pregnant women’s preference for cesarean section and subsequent mode of birth – a six-country cohort study

Ryding

Lukasse

Kristjansdottir

et al. 2016

Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology

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Introduction: The rate of cesarean section (CS) for non-medical reasons has risen and is a concern for health care. Women's preferences may vary across countries for psychosocial or obstetric reasons.Methods: A prospective cohort study of 6,549 women in routine antenatal care, giving birth in Belgium, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Norway or Sweden. Preference for mode of birth was self-reported in mid-pregnancy. Birth outcome data were collected from hospital records.Results: A CS was preferred by 3.5% of primiparous women and 8.7% of the multiparous women. Preference for CS was associated with severe fear of childbirth, with a negative birth experience in multiparous women, and with depressive symptoms in the primiparous. Women were somewhat more prone to prefer a cesarean in Iceland, OR 1.70(1.02-2.83), adjusted for age, education, depression, fear of childbirth, history of abuse, previous cesarean and previous negative birth experience. Out of the 404 women who preferred CS during pregnancy, 286 (70.8%) were delivered by CS, mostly for a medical indication. A total of 9% of the cesareans in the cohort had a non-medical indication only.Conclusions: Women's preference for cesarean section often seems to be due to health concerns. Both medical and psychological factors need to be addressed in antenatal counseling. Obstetricians need to convey accurately to women the risks and benefits of CS in her specific case. Maternity professionals should identify and explore psychosocial reasons for women's preferences.

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Prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual abuse among pregnant women in six European countries

Cited by 57 publications

References 25 publications

History of violence and subjective health of mother and child

History of violence and subjective health of mother and child

Increasing prevalence and incidence of domestic violence during the pregnancy and one and a half year postpartum, as well as risk factors: -a longitudinal cohort study in Southern Sweden

Pregnant women’s preference for cesarean section and subsequent mode of birth – a six-country cohort study

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