@article{ref1,
title="Intimate partner violence and sexual coercion among pregnant women in India: Relationship with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder",
journal="Journal of affective disorders",
year="2007",
author="Varma, Deepthi and Chandra, Prabha S. and Thomas, Tamlyn and Carey, Michael P.",
volume="102",
number="1-3",
pages="227-235",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent in most parts of the world. It is also prevalent during pregnancy. METHODS: This study assessed the prevalence of IPV during pregnancy and evaluated its relationship with mental health outcomes, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pregnant women (n=203) attending an antenatal clinic in a public hospital in Bangalore were assessed for presence of IPV as well as depressive, somatic, PTSD symptoms and life satisfaction. RESULTS: Self-reported physical violence in the last year was reported by 14% of women, psychological abuse by 15%, and sexual coercion by 9%. One-half of these women reported ongoing abuse during pregnancy. Depression, somatic, and PTSD symptoms were higher in those with a history of abuse or sexual coercion, and life satisfaction was poorer in those with any form of violence. Among those reporting a history of sexual coercion, severity of violence was related to increased psychiatric morbidity. Alcohol abuse in the spouse was a predictor of the presence and severity of abuse. LIMITATIONS: The study was conducted in a single clinic in southern India which is a large country with very diversified populations. CONCLUSION: The experience of intimate partner violence and its mental health consequences are quite prevalent in India which is a culture where gender disparities are normative and pregnancy is a particularly vulnerable period.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-0327",
doi="10.1016/j.jad.2006.09.026",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2006.09.026"
}