Effect of intimate partner violence in pregnancy on maternal and perinatal outcomes at the Korle Bu teaching hospital, Ghana: An observational cross sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between intimate partner violence and pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: This was a descriptive study of sociodemographic characteristics of participants, their partners and intimate partner violence. Participants' delivery records were reviewed for additional medical and obstetric information and abused women and their neonates followed until discharge. χ² and Student t test were used to assess associations, followed by logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A value of P less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The study included 270 participants of whom 84 (31.1%) reported experiencing domestic violence during pregnancy. One hundred and fourteen (42%) had experienced domestic violence pre-pregnancy and 69 (60.5%) of these women experienced further domestic violence during pregnancy. Emotional violence was commonest 80/270 (29.6%) and no sexual violence was reported. Domestic violence declined from 42% (pre-pregnancy) to 31.1% (in-pregnancy) (P = 0.009). Risk factors during pregnancy were young age (15-24 years; OR 5.8, 95% CI1.65-20.38), nulliparity (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.90-7.41), and partner's alcohol consumption (OR 5.04, 95% CI 2.50-10.13). Associated outcomes included late prenatal booking, gestational hypertension, and cephalopelvic disproportion.

Conclusion: We found high prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy, preponderance of emotional abuse, and decline of physical abuse. Nulliparity, younger age, and partner's alcohol consumption predicted abuse. Late-booking, gestational hypertension, cephalopelvic disproportion, and fetal distress were associated.

Keywords: domestic violence; maternal morbidity; perinatal outcomes; pregnancy.