Physical violence during pregnancy

Globally, women suffer due to violence. Violence during pregnancy is being increasingly recognised as a clinical as well as public health problem. The objectives of the present study were: to find out the extent and causes of violence during pregnancy; the relation of violence with, age, education, occupation; and to study the immediate effects of violence during pregnancy. A total of 2,000 pregnant women (health seekers or their friends or relatives) irrespective of age and socioeconomic status, were interviewed using a pre-designed, semistructured, pre-tested questionnaire in local language, with some open-ended questions. Out of the 2,000 pregnant women interviewed, 952 (47.6%) had been physically hit or slapped or kicked, at some time during pregnancy, many repeatedly. Though more teenagers (65.63%) and illiterate women (70.32%) were assaulted, those with a postgraduate education (41.08%) had also suffered. A total of 71.7% had been hit by their husbands - 32.4% were hit on the back and 161 (16.9%) on abdomen. Of the women who were assaulted during pregnancy, 30.25% had also suffered violence when non-pregnant. The present study reveals that violence is a common problem during pregnancy. While attempts need to be made to prevent this, it is essential that the healthcare providers who manage these women are aware of the possibility.