Domestic Violence Endured by Pregnant Women and Their Effect on Maternal and Neonatal Outcome.

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Violence against pregnant women is a significant social and a major health problem in the world. It was estimated that 25.0% of women worldwide have been victims of intimate partner violence. This study was aimed to assess the effect of domestic violence endured by pregnant women on maternal and neonatal outcomes. A prospective study was carried out at ante-natal clinics in 5 health centers in Port-Said city. The study subjects were 400 users of antenatal care services. An interview questionnaire and assessment sheet were designed and utilized to collect the necessary data. The results of the current study revealed that (39.5%) of women were exposed to domestic violence in the current pregnancy, and domestic violence can take many forms including physical (38.6%), emotional (95.6%), sexual (13.9%), and economic violence (65.1%). It was found that in abused exposure group, the gestational age was 38.14 weeks, premature rupture of membrane( PROM) was 28.6%, and premature birth 14.1% ,while, in not abused group, was 38.85 weeks, 5.7% and 2% respectively with statistically significant differences (p- value < 0.001). Also using the odds ratio shows that the risk of PROM in abused exposure group was 6.6 times more than those who are not in abused exposure group, and risk of premature birth in abused exposure group was 7.95 times more than those who are not in abused exposure group. Regarding newborns parameters, the mean length of infants, in abused was less than that in not abused exposure group with statistically significant difference (p- value < 0.001). It was concluded that violence during pregnancy may be more common than many conditions for which women are routinely screened or evaluated during pregnancy including preeclampsia, placenta previa, and gestational diabetes. Also it has an adverse effect on mothers and neonates, therefore, the study recommended the importance of development and dissemination of training courses and education programs for the decision makers, workers in health care settings and antenatal clinics to raise awareness of the seriousness of domestic violence facing pregnant women and how to address and manage it.