The Association Between Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy and Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study

To investigate the association between intimate partner violence during pregnancy and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 115 pregnant women referring to an academic center. Demographic data, maternal outcomes (vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, placental abruption, and premature rupture of membrane), and neonatal outcomes (birthweight and Apgar score) were evaluated. Domestic violence against pregnant women was ascertained by a validated domestic violence questionnaire. Finally, the association between domestic violence and maternal and/or neonatal outcomes was investigated.

The prevalence of domestic violence against pregnant women was 67.8%. Psychological violence obtained the highest prevalence (64.3%), followed by economic (34.8%), sexual (18.3%), and physical (12.2%) violence. Regression analysis showed that there was a significant association between domestic violence and preterm labor (P = 0.048, r = 0.385) and between economic violence and placental abruption (P = 0.040, r = 0.391). Also, there was a significant relationship between vaginal bleeding and sexual violence (P = 0.022). Educational level significantly and inversely correlated with economic (r = -0.21) and physical (r = -0.19) violence.

The results of this study indicated that intimate partner violence was commonplace during pregnancy and affected neonatal and maternal outcomes. It is suggested to implement educational programs for healthcare workers and screen all pregnant women for exposure to intimate partner violence to reduce maternal and neonatal complications.