Women’s health and partner’s violence in pregnancy survey

Abstract

The prevalence rate of intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy varies extensively between countries. This was clearly observed in the systematic review that led this study. Moreover, since IPV is a highly multifaceted, gender-based phenomenon, literature is still inconsistent with regards to the variables that promote or hinder abuse during pregnancy. Hence, this study aimed to explore women’s health and assess the frequency of IPV during pregnancy. In order to achieve this aim, the researcher investigated the socio-demographic variables associated with IPV during pregnancy and analysed whether IPV during the gestation period influenced pregnancy outcomes. This study implemented a survey research design. The sample comprised of 300 Maltese postnatal women, recruited by convenience, non-proportional quota sampling technique, yielding a response rate of 78.9%. Data was collected by the Charge Midwives of the wards or their representatives; potential participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and accepted to participate in the study were given a modified version of the WHO violence against women structured interview. The tool was previously validated in several countries worldwide and tested locally using test-retest reliability. This research strictly adhered to the WHO ethical considerations. The researcher also obtained ethical approval from the respective local authorities. Frequencies and cross-tabulations were used to analyse the data. Findings show that 22.3% (n = 66) of all participants were exposed to one or more acts of psychological, verbal, physical or sexual abuse by their intimate partner during their pregnancy, implying that the ratio of IPV during pregnancy in Malta is 1-2 in every 5 women. Psychological and verbal IPV were the most common forms of violence experienced by women, followed by physical and sexual abuse. Results indicated that pregnancy was neither found to protect women nor increase their chances of experiencing physical acts of IPV. Several socio-demographic and pregnancy-related variables were found to significantly increase women’s risk of experiencing IPV during pregnancy; including amongst others: young age or being older than 35 years, low education, working as a housewife, having a marital status of single or living with the partner out of wedlock, having a history of or occasional use of illicit drugs, having an unplanned pregnancy, requiring hospital admissions or experiencing physical injuries during pregnancy and having an infant weighing less than 1kg at birth. By using Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological model and the gender theory (Hess & Ferree, 1987) as a guide, this study discussed how IPV during pregnancy cannot be fully comprehended unless cultural, religious and societal factors are taken into account. This study concludes by providing a number of recommendations for the clinical practice, education and research, based on the findings obtained; including amongst others, the introduction of routine screening for IPV during pregnancy and the need to offer health professionals continuous professional development courses, seminars and conferences on identification and management of abuse during pregnancy. Moreover, suggestions for awareness campaigns are also drawn up.