Physical violence in pregnancy: a cross-sectional study with women in puerperium attended in a public service of reference, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Violence against women during pregnancy is recognized as a violation of human rights and reproductive rights, and a serious public health problem. Its prevalence is variable and has a multifactorial cause, requiring permanent monitoring. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted at the Hospital of Mandaqui, São Paulo, Brazil. The Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS) was applied to 350 puerperium women, with the outcome of suffering or not physical violence during pregnancy, between September and December 2021. Sociodemographic and reproductive data were considered. We used urn technique, with data were pre-coded, and EpiInfo® analysis by Pearson chi-square and Mann Whitney, adopting p<0.05 and 95% CI value. Research approved by the Research Ethics Committee, CAAE no. 50580421.5.0000.5551. Results: We found 13 cases of physical violence (3.7%) and sample loss of 18.9%. Women with physical violence during pregnancy showed lower mean age (27.7±8.24 x 37.3±6.28); less work (15.4% x 45.1%. p=0.034, OR/CI 0.98:0.98-20.70); less income (84.6% x 51.1%. p=0.017, OR/CI 0.18:0.04-0.86); higher occurrence of prematurity (30.8% x 9.5%. p=0.001, OR/CI 0.18: 0.05-0.59); and higher tobacco/alcohol use (38.5% x 10.4%. p=0.013, OR/CI 0.23:0.06-0.80). We found higher reports of violence before the age of 15 (53.8% x 18.7%. p<0.001, OR/CI 0.19: 0.06-0.60); physical violence in the last 12 months (84.6% x 1.8%. p<0.001); with a history of physical or emotional violence by the partner (76.9% x 29.4%. p<0.001, OR/CI 0.12:0.03-0.46); and fear of the intimate partner (46.2% x 2.4%. p<0.001, OR/CI 0.02:0.00-0.10). There was no difference for low schooling, race/color, union, pregnancy planning and high-risk pregnancy. Conclusion: The prevalence of physical violence during pregnancy was lower than in other studies in Brazil and other countries. The results suggest that gender violence is present throughout the life of women who suffer physical violence during pregnancy, reflecting in unfavorable reproductive outcomes. The high history of violence and fear of the partner may have contributed to eventual understatement.