"Family and society empowerment": Abused women's exclusive needs during pregnancy- A qualitative study

Abstract

Abstract Background Domestic violence threatens maternal physical, psychological and emotional safety. Abused pregnant women required several interventions based on their actual needs with the purpose of reducing domestic violence and its negative consequences. The present study aimed to explore the exclusive needs of abused pregnant women in Iran. Methods This qualitative study was performed from September 2019 to August 2021 in Mashhad, Iran. Semi-structured interviews with 14 abused women (8 pregnant and 6 after birth) who were the victims of domestic violence, and 11 key informants with various discipline specialties until the data saturation was achieved. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Qualitative data were analyzed based on the conventional content analysis adopted by Graneheim & Lundman. Findings: "Family and society empowerment" was the main concept emerged from the data analysis comprising of three categories such as "need to empower couples to reduce domestic violence during pregnancy", "demand for improved health care services", and "need to strengthen inter-sectoral, legal and social supports". Conclusion Abused pregnant women experienced several individual, interpersonal and inter sectoral needs. Family and society empowerment constituted the actual needs of abused pregnant women. Awareness of policymakers and health system managers of these needs could be the basis for designing a supportive care program according to abused women’s actual needs. In addition to the educational and skill empowerment of couples, it is essential that supportive organizations cooperate with each other to provide integrated and coordinated services to abused pregnant women and strengthen and facilitate maternal access to supportive resources.