Abstract
IntroductionDomestic violence is a common global health problem and relatively hidden and ignored form of violence against pregnant women. The magnitude of domestic violence among pregnant women is higher in low and middle-income countries including Ethiopia as compared with developed countries. Domestic violence is a violation of human right and associated with numerous adverse outcomes for mothers and the offspring. However, research on domestic violence and predictors against pregnant women is limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and predictors of domestic violence among pregnant women in southeast Oromia, Ethiopia.MethodsCross-sectional study design was utilized among 299 pregnant women selected by systematic sampling technique. A structured World Health Organization (WHO) multi-country study questionnaire on women health and domestic violence was used to measure domestic violence. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted. Odds ratios (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95%CI)) was computed to assess the strength of association.ResultThe prevalence of domestic violence was 64.6% (CI: 58.5, 69.9%). Physical violence was reported as the commonest type of violence (44.1%) followed by psychological (39.1%) and sexual (23.7%) violence. In the multivariable analysis, being illiterate (OR = 6.3; 95%CI: 2.23, 11.65), Husband’s alcohol consumption (OR = 5.726; 95% CI 1.873, 11.51), husband history of arrest (OR = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.15, 5.88) and occupation of husband (farmer) (OR = 3.26; 95% CI: 1.29, 8.25) were significantly associated with domestic violence against pregnant women.ConclusionThis study revealed that a remarkable proportion of pregnant women had experienced domestic violence in their lifetime (64.6%). Being illiterate, husband’s alcohol consumption, occupation (farmer and self-employed), and history of arrest were significantly associated with domestic violence among pregnant women. The findings suggest screening for domestic violence among pregnant women visiting antenatal care clinic and early intervention based on the findings. Integrating health education program on domestic violence with the existing maternal health program is warranted.
Highlights
Domestic violence is a common global health problem and relatively hidden and ignored form of violence against pregnant women
This study revealed that a remarkable proportion of pregnant women had experienced domestic violence in their lifetime (64.6%)
Husband’s alcohol consumption, occupation, and history of arrest were significantly associated with domestic violence among pregnant women
Summary
Domestic violence is a common global health problem and relatively hidden and ignored form of violence against pregnant women. The magnitude of domestic violence among pregnant women is higher in low and middle-income countries including Ethiopia as compared with developed countries. Research on domestic violence and predictors against pregnant women is limited in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and predictors of domestic violence among pregnant women in southeast Oromia, Ethiopia. Domestic violence among women is a global issue and [3], a significant public health problem, as well as a fundamental violation of women’s human rights [4], crossing cultural, geographic, religious, social and economic boundaries [5]. Domestic violence is the most prevalent yet relatively hidden and ignored form of violence against women and girls [6]. The prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy varies and has been found in 3–13% of pregnancies in many studies around the world [8], while in developing countries ranges from 4 to 29% [3]
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