Citation

Habib S, Abbasi N, Khan B, Danish N, Nazir Q. J. Ayub Med. Coll. Abbottabad 2018; 30(2): 237-240.

Affiliation

Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Ayub Medical College)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

29938426

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence during pregnancy is an important social & health issue in all societies. In Muslim world and particularly underdeveloped countries, domestic violence is often under reported. It is the need of hour to encourage reporting of such events & implementation of research-based policies for prevention of women abuse & support of the victims of domestic violence (DV). The objective of this study was to highlight this neglected social problem of our society & to identify at risk population.

METHODS: This is a cross sectional study conducted at Ayub Teaching Hospital & Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad (January 2014 to December. 2016). Pregnant women were inquired regarding history of abuse by husband and sociodemographic characteristics were noted in a Performa to analyse the risk factors for domestic violence.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence was found to be 35%. Out of 1000 pregnant women, 270 (27%) suffered from simple violence and 60 (6%) were victims of grievous assault. Violence among pregnant women is found to be more prevalent among residents of urban areas, women of older age being uneducated & belonging to poor socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS: Domestic violence during pregnancy is a common & often neglected psychosocial health problem. High risk population needs to be identified so that preventive strategies can be planned & implemented.

Language: en

Keywords

Domestic violence; Partner abuse; Pregnancy; Pregnant women