Citation

Lukasse M, Schroll AM, Ryding EL, Campbell J, Karro H, Kristjansdottir H, Laanpere M, Steingrimsdottir T, Tabor A, Temmerman M, Van Parys AS, Wangel AM, Schei B. Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. 2014; 93(7): 669-677.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St.Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/aogs.12392

PMID

24720803

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to investigate the prevalence of a history of abuse among women attending routine antenatal care in six Northern European countries. Secondly, we explored current suffering from reported abuse. Design. A prospective cohort study SETTING: Routine antenatal care in in Belgium, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Sweden between March 2008 and August 2010. Population. 7174 pregnant women METHODS: A questionnaire including a validated instrument measuring emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Main outcome measure. Proportion of women reporting emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Severe current suffering defined as a Visual Analogue Scale score of ≥6.

RESULTS: An overall lifetime prevalence of any abuse was reported by 34.8% of the pregnant women. The ranges across the six countries of lifetime prevalence were 9.7-30.8% for physical abuse, 16.2-27.7% for emotional abuse, and 8.3-21.1% for sexual abuse. Few women reported current sexual abuse, 0.4% compared to 2.2% current physical abuse and 2.7% current emotional abuse. Current severe suffering was reported by 6.8% of the women who reported physical abuse, 9.8% of those who reported sexual abuse and 13.5% for emotional abuse.

CONCLUSION: A high proportion of pregnant women attending routine antenatal care report a history of abuse. About one in ten of them experiences severe current suffering from the reported abuse. In particular these women might benefit from being identified in the antenatal care setting and being offered specialized care. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en