Effects of Domestic Violence During Pregnancy on Fetal Health in Tertiary hospital, Nepal

Abstract

Domestic Violence against pregnant women is legally and socially punishable though the prevalence of such violence is reported in Nepal also. The study was conducted with the objective is to identify the effects of domestic violence during Pregnancy on fetal health(outcomes in newborns).The study was conducted among the 804 newborns of admitted Postnatal women who were interviewed about domestic violence during pregnancy in the Dhulikhel hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital in the Kavre district. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the respondents 'babies and data obtained from newborns’ hospital records. The study found that the effects of economic violence were high on low birth weight followed by the effects of psychological violence. Though, there were no statistically significant effects of violence on fetal health of interviewees about domestic violence during pregnancy prematurity, post-maturity, low birth weight, Asphyxia, and other health problem. Future research can be done in other parts of Nepal covering the rural women who are from the poor and illiterate groups. Keywords: Domestic violence, Pregnancy, Effects on Fetal & Women’ Health.