Abstract
BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV), defined as actual or threatened physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse by current or former partners is a global public health concern. The prevalence and determinants of intimate partner violence (IPV) against pregnant women has not been described in Rwanda. A study was conducted to identify variables associated with IPV among Rwandan pregnant women.MethodsA convenient sample of 600 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were administered a questionnaire which included items on demographics, HIV status, IPV, and alcohol use by the male partner. Mean age and proportions of IPV in different groups were assessed. Odds of IPV were estimated using logistic regression analysis.ResultsOf the 600 respondents, 35.1% reported IPV in the last 12 months. HIV+ pregnant women had higher rates of all forms of IVP violence than HIV- pregnant women: pulling hair (44.3% vs. 20.3%), slapping (32.0% vs. 15.3%), kicking with fists (36.3% vs. 19.7%), throwing to the ground and kicking with feet (23.3% vs. 12.7%), and burning with hot liquid (4.1% vs. 3.5%). HIV positive participants were more than twice likely to report physical IPV than those who were HIV negative (OR = 2.38; 95% CI [1.59, 3.57]). Other factors positively associated with physical IPV included sexual abuse before the age of 14 years (OR = 2.69; 95% CI [1.69, 4.29]), having an alcohol drinking male partner (OR = 4.10; 95% CI [2.48, 6.77] for occasional drinkers and OR = 3.37; 95% CI [2.05, 5.54] for heavy drinkers), and having a male partner with other sexual partners (OR = 1.53; 95% CI [1.15, 2.20]. Education was negatively associated with lifetime IPV.ConclusionWe have reported on prevalence of IPV violence among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Rwanda, Central Africa. We advocate that screening for IPV be an integral part of HIV and AIDS care, as well as routine antenatal care. Services for battered women should also be made available.
Highlights
Intimate partner violence (IPV), defined as actual or threatened physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse by current or former partners is a global public health concern
Other factors positively associated with physical IPV included sexual abuse before the age of 14 years (OR = 2.82; 95% CI [1.87, 4.26]), having an alcohol drinking male partner (OR = 4.93; 95% CI [3.14, 7.72] for occasional drinkers and OR = 4.07; 95% CI [2.60, 6.38] for heavy drinkers), and having a male partner with other sexual partners
We have reported on prevalence of physical intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Rwanda, Central Africa
Summary
Intimate partner violence (IPV), defined as actual or threatened physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse by current or former partners is a global public health concern. Intimate partner violence (IPV), defined as actual or threatened physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse by current or former partners is a global public health concern affecting 25%–43% women in their lifetime [1,2,3,4]. One of the outcomes from the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995 [11] was a call to encourage research in the causes and consequences of violence against women. The Conference urged for the search of effective preventive measures and encouraged governments and non-governmental organizations to promote the delivery of public health interventions that will prevent and mitigate violence against women [11]. There are data suggesting that pregnant women, when compared to the non-pregnant women, may be at risk of IPV from their male partners
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