Physical Intimate Partner Violence and Increased Partner Aggression During Pregnancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic:...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Sociology

Background:

• Public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, are known to exacerbate risks for intimate partner violence (IPV).
• Understanding the prevalence and correlates of IPV during pregnancy in the context of a pandemic is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of physical IPV and increased partner aggression during pregnancy attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To investigate the associations between these IPV experiences, COVID-19-related stressors, and postpartum outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) from 29 US jurisdictions for births in 2020.
• Estimated prevalence of pregnancy-related violence by demographics and COVID-19 stressors.
• Calculated adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) to assess associations between IPV, stressors, and postpartum/infant outcomes.

Main Results:

• 1.6% reported physical IPV and 3.1% reported increased partner aggression during pregnancy due to the pandemic.
• COVID-19-related economic, housing, or childcare stressors were associated with approximately double the prevalence of IPV.
• IPV was linked to higher rates of postpartum depressive symptoms and smoking, and lower rates of postpartum care visits.

Conclusions:

• Findings underscore the heightened risk of IPV during public health emergencies.
• Emphasizes the need for sustained IPV prevention efforts and accessible resources during crises.