Objectives: To investigate prevalence and factors that contribute to intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending prenatal care in Bondo sub-county, Western Kenya.
Methods: This cross-sectional analysis was conducted in three health facilities in Bondo, Western Kenya, from August 2020 to August 2021. Using systematic sampling 360 pregnant women attending prenatal care were selected. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Risk factors for intimate partner violence were determined using logistic regression.
Results: Out of the 360 respondents, 127 (35.3%) faced intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Among these, 86 (23.9%) experienced psychological violence, 56 (15.6%) experienced physical abuse, and 59 (16.4%) experienced sexual violence. Unemployment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.90; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.08-7.79), the inability to count on parents or siblings for support (aOR 2.48; 95% CI 1.14-5.43), and having a partner that drinks alcohol either daily (aOR 4.84; 95% CI 1.69-13.88) or occasionally (aOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.16-4.13) were independently associated with intimate partner violence during pregnancy.
Conclusion: In this setting, intimate partner violence prevalence among pregnant women was high. Unemployment, having an alcohol-drinking partner, and the inability to count on parents or siblings for support were contributing factors.
Keywords: intimate partner violence; pregnancy; prevalence; risk factors.
© 2022 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.