Citation

Olagbuji B, Ezeanochie M, Ande A, Ekaete E. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 2010; 108(2): 101-103.

Affiliation

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin-City, Edo state, Nigeria.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.09.024

PMID

19939379

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the trend and identify associated risk factors for pregnancy-related domestic violence. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 502 women attending the sixth week postnatal clinic in a tertiary hospital in urban Nigeria, participants completed semi-structured questionnaires on experience of domestic violence before and during pregnancy, and in the puerperium. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors associated with experiencing violence. RESULTS: The prevalence of domestic violence was 43.5% during the 12months before the pregnancy, 28.3% during the pregnancy, and 4% in the puerperium. Psychological violence was the commonest form of violence experienced. All forms of violence were least common in the puerperium. Experience of violence in the 12months before pregnancy (P<0.0001, odds ratio 274.34 [95% CI, 66.4-1133.8]), HIV seropositivity (P=0.02, odds ratio 2.81 [95% CI, 1.2-6.5]), and regular alcohol intake (P<0.0001, odds ratio 11.60 [95% CI, 3.8-35.1]) significantly increased the likelihood of experiencing domestic violence. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy-related domestic violence is an important health problem in this community in southern Nigeria. Experience of violence before the pregnancy, HIV infection, and regular alcohol consumption are risk factors.

Language: en