FREQUENCY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Domestic violence refers to the physical, sexual, psychological, financial, or verbal abuse inflicted on a spouse or partner by the other. It is a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. It is now being recognized that the consequences of domestic violence are commonly seen in obstetrics and gynaecology. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of domestic violence in pregnant women attending OPD of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Khyber Teaching Hospital.
METHODS: The study was conducted in the department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics unit, Khyber Teaching hospital Peshawar. Through a Descriptive cross sectional study design, consecutive 260 patients were included in the study between mentioned study duration. All patients were worked up with detailed history taking and clinical examination. When given consent, detailed history was taken and thorough examination was done. Data were collected using a specially designed proforma, known as ASS (Abuse Assessment Screening).
RESULTS: In this study, 260 pregnant patients were observed. Most of the interviews were conducted within the outpatient department. Patients age was divided in three categories, out of which most presented in lower age i.e. < 25 years of age. The study included age ranged from 14 up to 45 years. The frequency of domestic violence was 25.8% in index pregnancy. All the abused women were verbally abused. The frequency of sexual violence was lower as compared to verbal and physical violence. Violence is lower in pregnancy as compared to marital life domestic violence experience.
CONCLUSION:Our study concludes that women should be monitored for abuse not only during pregnancy but also before and after pregnancy, as our data suggest that these are periods of higher risk for abuse. Information on what to do if abuse is experienced needs to become more available to all women who are victims of violence.
KEY WORDS: Domestic violence, Physical Abuse, Intimate partner violence
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