Prevalence and Associated Factors of Intimate Partner Violence Among Pregnant Women Attending Kisumu District Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

To determine prevalence and factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant women seeking antenatal care. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Kisumu District Hospital, Kenya amongst randomly selected pregnant women. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Participants self-reported about their own IPV experience (lifetime, 12 months prior to and during index pregnancy) and associated risk factors. Data were analyzed using Epi-info. The mean age of the 300 participants was 23.7 years. One hundred and ten (37 %) of them experienced at least one form of IPV during pregnancy. Psychological violence was the most common (29 %), followed by sexual (12 %), and then physical (10 %). Women who experienced IPV during pregnancy were more likely to have witnessed maternal abuse in childhood (aOR 2.27, 95 % CI = 1.05–4.89), been in a polygamous union (aOR 2.48, 95 % CI = 1.06–5.8), been multiparous (aOR 1.94, 95 % CI = 1.01–3.32) or had a partner who drank alcohol (aOR 2.32, 95 % CI = 1.21–4.45). Having a partner who attained tertiary education was protective against IPV (aOR 0.37, 95 % CI = 0.16–0.83). We found no association between HIV status and IPV. IPV is common among women seeking antenatal care at Kisumu District Hospital. Health care providers should be alerted to the possibility of IPV during pregnancy in women who witnessed maternal abuse in childhood, are multiparous, polygamous, have a partner who drinks alcohol or has low level education. Screening for IPV, support and referral is urgently needed to help reduce the burden experienced by pregnant women and their unborn babies.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Intimate Partner Violence during Pregnancy among Recently Delivered Women in Public Health Facilities of Hossana Town, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…This is consistent with study done in Kenya and Bangladesh which showed that partner who attends tertiary education is protective against intimate partner violence during pregnancy and husband's education beyond 10th grade was associated in both rural and urban with lower odds of violence during pregnancy [9] [12] [14]. This could be due to when partner education status increase the ability to negotiate may increase and as a result the violence will decrease.…”

“…The overall prevalence of intimate violence during pregnancy and prevalence of psychological violence in current study is lower than Kenyan study which showed that the prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy was 37% and the prevalence of psychological violence being 29%. The prevalence of physical violence in current study is higher than the Kenyan study but prevalence of sexual violence is consistent, which showed that sexual 12% and physical 10% [9]. The difference may be due to the difference in culture and norms between the two countries.…”

Intimate partner violence against pregnant women: the environment according to Levine's nursing theory

“…However, other forms of violence (sexual, moral and psychological) were identified. Studies corroborate these results in pointing out that the standard of IPV during pregnancy can be changed in the form, frequency and severity, particularly where violence existed before pregnancy (7,(10)(11)14) .…”

“…However, studies confirm that the age group, economic dependence, level of education, use of legal and/or illegal drugs by a woman and her intimate partner are elements that can contribute to the phenomenon (6)(7)21) . It is noteworthy that in this study there was no report of drug use by participants.…”

“…International (5)(6)(7) and national (8)(9)(10)(11) studies indicate a high prevalence of IPV during pregnancy, which can be severe and recurrent in a continuous pattern (10)(11) . Elements for its occurrence can be identified as: economic dependency, low education, unplanned pregnancy, previous experience of violence in childhood or adolescence and abuse of legal and/ or illegal drugs (1)(2)5) .…”