The prevalence of violence investigated in a pregnant population in Sweden

Abstract

All women registered for antenatal care within a Swedish municipality during a 6-month period were assessed regarding acts of violence. The Abuse Assessment Screen was used on two occasions during pregnancy, and once between 4 and 20 weeks after delivery. The efficacy of repeated interviews was investigated, and characteristics of abused and non-abused women were compared. The participation rate was 93% (1038 women). Physical abuse by a close acquaintance or relative during or shortly after pregnancy was reported by 1.3%, and by 2.8% when the year preceding pregnancy was included. The lifetime prevalence of emotional, physical or sexual abuse was 19.4%. Repeated questioning increased the detection of abuse. Women abused during pregnancy reported more preceding ill-health and more elective abortions than non-abused women. Intervention against sexual violence has been on the political agenda in Sweden for several decades. Even so, physical abuse is a risk factor comparable in frequency to obstetric complications such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. Routines need to be established to make questioning about violence an integral part of the standardized screening for risk factors during pregnancy.

Prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy and related risk factors: a cross-sectional study in southern Sweden

“…These figures are similar to a previous Swedish study conducted in Uppsala where 2.8% (n = 29) admitted physical abuse by a close acquaintance the year before pregnancy, during pregnancy or 20 weeks postpartum [24]. Nevertheless, it is difficult to compare these results due to the use of different methods and definitions and the lack of separation of history of violence before or after pregnancy from violence during pregnancy.…”

“…Participation recruitment was mostly performed during the first and early second trimesters of pregnancy, and therefore, the results reflect responses to questions about abuse that were posed only once and at this particular time. It has been shown that repeated questioning increases the likelihood of disclosing experiences of physical violence [24,42]. Further, the true prevalence of abuse may be difficult to determine because of fears concerning abuse escalation, if the abuse were to become known by the perpetrator [21].…”

Pregnancy complications in women with childhood sexual abuse experiences

“…A prevalence of around 20% [1][2][3] makes childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experiences an important problem in prenatal care, whose frequency is comparable to those of other risk factors for unfavorable pregnancy outcome such as gestational diabetes or hypertensive disorders in pregnancy [4]. Between 74% and 96% of women exposed to CSA present physical and emotional long-term consequences [5].…”

Are There Differences in the Impact of Partner Violence on Reproductive Health Between Postpartum Women and Women Who Had an Elective Abortion?

“…1 Studies undertaken in Europe have shown a lower prevalence (1.3-5.8 %). [2][3][4][5][6][7] The reproductive years represent a particularly vulnerable period for women regarding susceptibility to potential health hazards, both for her own health (including injuries, unwanted pregnancies, and other sexual and reproductive health problems) and for the development of the foetus.…”