Citation

Salazar-Pousada D, Astudillo C, Gonzaga M, Hidalgo L, Pérez-López FR, Chedraui P. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 2012; 118(3): 194-197.

Affiliation

Antenatal High Risk Pregnancy Unit, Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.03.043

PMID

22727412

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess intimate partner violence (IPV) and psychoemotional disturbance among pregnant women in a low-income setting. METHODS: In total, 283 pregnant women with high-risk prenatal complications were surveyed via the 20-item Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) and the Violence against Women screening tool. A total SRQ-20 score of at least 7 was defined as indicating psychoemotional disturbance. RESULTS: Median age of participants was 24years, 65 (23.0%) came from marginal areas, 6 (2.1%) had no education, and 75 (26.5%) had fewer than 5 prenatal visits. Median gestational age at survey was 33weeks, with 224 (79.2%) admitted for treatment of threatened preterm labor. Median age of partner was 27years, and 72 (25.5%) consumed alcohol on a daily basis. Ninety-eight (34.6%) pregnant women experienced at least 1 type of physical abuse or violence during the current pregnancy. Median total SRQ-20 score was 7. Overall, 145 (51.2%) had scores of 7 or higher. Total SRQ-20 scores positively correlated with the presence of IPV (number of positive items) and parity, and inversely correlated with maternal education level and gestational age at survey. CONCLUSION: IPV was highly prevalent and significantly correlated with female psychoemotional disturbance.

Language: en