Antenatal Domestic Violence & Fetal Outcome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Sohaib Ashraf Wellman Centre of Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
  • Muhammad Ahmad Imran Department of Microbiology, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore
  • Hina Mahmood Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore
  • Khawar Nawaz Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Brooklyn Sunny Downstate Medical Centre NewYork,USA
  • Tayyab Mughal Department of Radiology, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore
  • Umair Hafeez Sheikh Department of ENT, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore
  • Hassan Mujtaba Cheema Amna Inayat Medical and Educational Complex, Lahore
  • Ayesha Humayun Department of Public Health & Community Medicine, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47489/p000s344z769mc

Keywords:

Abuse, antenatal care, prenatal care, birth weight, domestic violence.

Abstract

Introduction: Antenatal domestic violence is a global public health and human rights concern. It increases the risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

Aims & Objectives: To assess the frequency of antenatal domestic violence and associated factors and also to determine effect of domestic violence on fetal outcome.

Place and duration of study: This cross sectional study was conducted from January to June 2015 in post-natal wards of department of Gynecology & Obstetrics of six tertiary care hospitals of Lahore.

Material & Methods: A total of 255 females admitted in post-natal wards of department of Gynecology & Obstetrics enrolled after proper verbal informed consent. A structured, self-constructed questionnaire was administered on females enrolled consecutively till the desired sample size was complete. Data on domestic violence (verbal or physical), its associated factors, gestational age at birth, mode of delivery and birth weight of the neonate was analyzed on SPSS version 21.0.

Results: 22% (55/255) females experienced antenatal domestic violence during current pregnancy and out of 55, 72% faced verbal abuse while 27% experienced physical violence. In total 65/255(26%) w low birth weight neonates were born and out of them 58.18% (32/55) were born to mothers facing violence during pregnancy. Husband was mostly responsible for violence in 49% of cases. Antenatal domestic violence was significantly associated with low birth weight (p=<0.001).

Conclusion: Antenatal domestic violence is associated with low birth weight babies. Antenatal domestic violence prevention needs implementation of legislation and changing behaviors of violence in communities so to avoid health implications.

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Published

2021-01-01

How to Cite

1.
Sohaib Ashraf, Muhammad Ahmad Imran, Hina Mahmood, Khawar Nawaz, Tayyab Mughal, Umair Hafeez Sheikh, Hassan Mujtaba Cheema, Ayesha Humayun. Antenatal Domestic Violence & Fetal Outcome: A Cross-Sectional Study. Proceedings S.Z.M.C [Internet]. 2021 Jan. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];34(4):40-5. Available from: https://proceedings-szmc.org.pk/index.php/szmc/article/view/8