The effect of behavioural intervention package on domestic violence and quality of life of abused pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Background Domestic violence during pregnancy especially concerns due to its significant detrimental impact on a woman’s health and that of her unborn child. The study aims to evaluate the effects of a behavioural intervention package (BIP) delivered during pregnancy on domestic violence, reproductive and child health, and the quality of life (QOL) of women facing domestic violence. Methods A randomised controlled trial was conducted on 211 pregnant women recruited between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy and randomly assigned to one of two groups: study (n = 105) or control (n = 206). The study group received Behavioural intervention and standard care, while the control group received only standard care over 28 weeks. Study tools included socio-demographic variables, an abuse assessment screening tool, a reproductive child health (RCH) checklist, and a short-form health survey (SF-36). The tools were completed once before the intervention and again at six weeks postnatal. The P-value was less than 0.05, which was considered statistically significant. Results The results showed that the potential of BIP intervention, which was found to be significantly effective in reducing DV and increasing the QOL for abused pregnant women, was higher in the study group than in the control group (P = 0.001). Moreover, DV and QOL scores significantly improved in the control group from baseline to end line. Conclusion The BIP may be an appropriate method for treating pregnant, abused women from low socioeconomic strata who attend public hospitals in India to improve their QOL. The approach may offer a low-cost intervention that healthcare institutions or other organizations in contact with women at risk of violence can implement. Trial registration Indian Registry of Clinical Trials number is CTRI/2019/01/017009.