Intimate partner violence during pregnancy: A 20-year forensic review of clinical and sociodemographic patterns...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a significant public health concern associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the types and patterns of IPV experienced by pregnant women and to identify the associated sociodemographic factors and clinical consequences. This retrospective cross-sectional study included 148 pregnant women who were referred for forensic evaluation by judicial authorities between 2004 and 2023 due to IPV exposure. Data were extracted from medical records and forensic examination forms. Variables included IPV types (emotional, physical, sexual), injury characteristics, sociodemographic features, relationship dynamics, and pregnancy-related outcomes. Statistical analyses were conducted using chi-square-based tests. The primary outcomes were the distribution of IPV types and associated risk factors; secondary outcomes included maternal injuries and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Among participants, emotional violence was reported by 97.3%, physical violence by 92.6%, and sexual violence by 11.5%. Most women (81.1%) were subjected to both emotional and physical violence, and 8.8% experienced all 3 types. IPV began during the first trimester in 70.3% of cases and had occurred prior to pregnancy in 79.7%. Unintended pregnancy was present in 72.3% of cases, and 6.8% experienced fetal complications (preterm birth or fetal loss). IPV was significantly associated with younger maternal age, low educational attainment, being unemployed, low socioeconomic status, and regular alcohol consumption by the partner. Women whose babies were female were significantly more likely to report physical violence. Physical violence commonly involved slapping (47.4%), pushing (16.8%), and abdominal trauma (9.5%). Categorical associations were also found between sexual violence and partner-related factors, including age difference, religious marriage, and rural residence. IPV during pregnancy frequently involves multiple forms of abuse, begins early in gestation, and is often chronic. These findings underscore the need for IPV screening protocols in prenatal care and support the development of interdisciplinary interventions targeting high-risk populations.