Citation

Kawahara M, Nakatsuka M. Bosei Eisei 2011; 52(1): 147-159.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Japan Society of Maternal Health)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Because intimate partner violence is known to increase during pregnancy, many midwives may have an opportunity to find these victims. We performed a questionnaire survey in 703 midwives and other staff of obstetric clinics and hospitals in Okayama and Hiroshima prefectures. 40.8% of midwives and other staff had an encounter with pregnant victims of intimate partner violence. There were many victims who were not married, under 20 years old, experienced intimate partner violence before pregnancy, or had economical problems. Midwives and other staff often speculated the occurrence of intimate partner violence from confession or bruises of the pregnant women, or behavior of her partner. 25.5% of midwives and other staff were conscious of a lack in attachment of the pregnant victim of intimate partner violence to her fetus. 30.8% of midwives and other staff did not have knowledge and information of intimate partner violence during pregnancy and more than 40% of them answered that they wanted to help them but did not know how to do so. It is important to inform them on intimate partner violence during pregnancy and to organize a support system for victims with support groups and public services.