Premium
Violence against pregnant women: prevalence and characteristics. A population‐based study in Nicaragua
Author(s) -
Valladares Eliette,
Peña Rodolfo,
Persson Lars Åke,
Högberg Ulf
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2005.00621.x
Subject(s) - medicine , domestic violence , pregnancy , sexual abuse , population , sexual violence , distress , physical abuse , psychiatry , poison control , demography , suicide prevention , environmental health , clinical psychology , nursing , sociology , biology , genetics
Objective This study aims to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of partner abuse during pregnancy as well as to investigate associated social factors in León, Nicaragua. Design Cross‐sectional community‐based study. Setting All pregnant women from 50 randomly selected geographical clusters out of 208 in the municipality of León, Nicaragua. Sample A total of 478 pregnant women were included; only one woman refused to participate. Method The domestic violence questionnaire from the WHO‐co‐ordinated Multi‐Country Study on Women's Health and Life Events was used with each participant being interviewed twice during pregnancy. Main outcome measures Prevalence and characteristics of partner violence during pregnancy. Results The prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual abuse during pregnancy was 32.4%, 13.4% and 6.7%, respectively. Seventeen percent reported experience of all three forms of violence. Two‐thirds of the victims reported repeated abuse. Half of the abused women had experienced punches and kicks directed towards the abdomen and 93% had been injured. Most women had not sought health care in relation to the abuse, but those who did were usually hospitalised. Factors such as women's age below 20 years, poor access to social resources and high levels of emotional distress were independently associated with violence during pregnancy. Conclusion Violence against pregnant women in Nicaragua is common and often repeated. Although these women have poor access to social resources and high levels of emotional distress, they are rarely assisted by the health services. Innovative strategies are needed to provide support and counselling.