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Violence against pregnant women: prevalence and characteristics. A population-based study in Nicaragua.
BJOG. 2005 Sep; 112(9):1243-8.BJOG

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of partner abuse during pregnancy as well as to investigate associated social factors in León, Nicaragua.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional community-based study.

SETTING

All pregnant women from 50 randomly selected geographical clusters out of 208 in the municipality of León, Nicaragua.

SAMPLE

A total of 478 pregnant women were included; only one woman refused to participate.

METHOD

The domestic violence questionnaire from the WHO-co-ordinated Multi-Country Study on Women's Health and Life Events was used with each participant being interviewed twice during pregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence and characteristics of partner violence during pregnancy.

RESULTS

The prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual abuse during pregnancy was 32.4%, 13.4% and 6.7%, respectively. Seventeen percent reported experience of all three forms of violence. Two-thirds of the victims reported repeated abuse. Half of the abused women had experienced punches and kicks directed towards the abdomen and 93% had been injured. Most women had not sought health care in relation to the abuse, but those who did were usually hospitalised. Factors such as women's age below 20 years, poor access to social resources and high levels of emotional distress were independently associated with violence during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Violence against pregnant women in Nicaragua is common and often repeated. Although these women have poor access to social resources and high levels of emotional distress, they are rarely assisted by the health services. Innovative strategies are needed to provide support and counselling.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Valladares E
Health and Demography Research Centre, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National Autonomous University of León, Nicaragua.
Peña R
No affiliation info available
Persson LA
No affiliation info available
Högberg U
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMiddle AgedNicaraguaPregnancyPregnancy ComplicationsPrevalenceSocioeconomic FactorsSpouse AbuseStress, PsychologicalSurveys and Questionnaires

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

16101603

Citation

Valladares, Eliette, et al. "Violence Against Pregnant Women: Prevalence and Characteristics. a Population-based Study in Nicaragua." BJOG : an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, vol. 112, no. 9, 2005, pp. 1243-8.
Valladares E, Peña R, Persson LA, et al. Violence against pregnant women: prevalence and characteristics. A population-based study in Nicaragua. BJOG. 2005;112(9):1243-8.
Valladares, E., Peña, R., Persson, L. A., & Högberg, U. (2005). Violence against pregnant women: prevalence and characteristics. A population-based study in Nicaragua. BJOG : an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 112(9), 1243-8.
Valladares E, et al. Violence Against Pregnant Women: Prevalence and Characteristics. a Population-based Study in Nicaragua. BJOG. 2005;112(9):1243-8. PubMed PMID: 16101603.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Violence against pregnant women: prevalence and characteristics. A population-based study in Nicaragua. AU - Valladares,Eliette, AU - Peña,Rodolfo, AU - Persson,Lars Ake, AU - Högberg,Ulf, PY - 2005/8/17/pubmed PY - 2005/9/30/medline PY - 2005/8/17/entrez SP - 1243 EP - 8 JF - BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology JO - BJOG VL - 112 IS - 9 N2 - OBJECTIVE: This study aims to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of partner abuse during pregnancy as well as to investigate associated social factors in León, Nicaragua. DESIGN: Cross-sectional community-based study. SETTING: All pregnant women from 50 randomly selected geographical clusters out of 208 in the municipality of León, Nicaragua. SAMPLE: A total of 478 pregnant women were included; only one woman refused to participate. METHOD: The domestic violence questionnaire from the WHO-co-ordinated Multi-Country Study on Women's Health and Life Events was used with each participant being interviewed twice during pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and characteristics of partner violence during pregnancy. RESULTS: The prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual abuse during pregnancy was 32.4%, 13.4% and 6.7%, respectively. Seventeen percent reported experience of all three forms of violence. Two-thirds of the victims reported repeated abuse. Half of the abused women had experienced punches and kicks directed towards the abdomen and 93% had been injured. Most women had not sought health care in relation to the abuse, but those who did were usually hospitalised. Factors such as women's age below 20 years, poor access to social resources and high levels of emotional distress were independently associated with violence during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Violence against pregnant women in Nicaragua is common and often repeated. Although these women have poor access to social resources and high levels of emotional distress, they are rarely assisted by the health services. Innovative strategies are needed to provide support and counselling. SN - 1470-0328 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/16101603/Violence_against_pregnant_women:_prevalence_and_characteristics__A_population_based_study_in_Nicaragua_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -