Intimate Partner Violence among Antenatal Women of Rural Area: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: “Domestic violence” is defined as “a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.” Intimate partner violence during the phase of pregnancy enhances the risk of abortion, preterm birth, low birth weight babies, and intrauterine death. Aim & Objective: To assess the prevalence of intimate partner violence among antenatal women and its association with various sociodemographic and obstetric factors. Materials & Method: This was a cross sectional community based study which was carried out in the rural area of district Jabalpur (M. P.) among 230 pregnant women for period of 1 year (March 2021–February 2022) Intimate partner violence was assessed by using HURT, INSULT, THREATEN, and SCREAM scale. Results: Prevalence of intimate partner violence was 29 (12.6%) among antenatal women. Strong correlation was found between age of respondents with intimate partner violence (P = 0.026). Physically hurt, insult or talk down, threaten with physical harm, and scream or curse were reported by 29.6%, 51.3%, 33.9%, and 54.8% antenatal women, respectively. Conclusion: Health care workers at ground level are most important personnel to screen out antenatal women for intimate partner violence due to multiple contacts during the course of pregnancy and it should be included in routine antenatal care.