Prevalence and complications of physical violence during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence of self-reported physical violence in pregnancy and describe the association with foeto-maternal complications and birth outcome.


METHODS
Seven thousand one hundred and five pregnant women over a 3 year period were assessed for self-reported physical violence. Maternal ante-natal hospitalization, low birth weight and pre-term delivery. Odd ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to measure association between physical violence, maternal morbidity and birth outcome.


RESULTS
The prevalence of physical violence was 21%. Women who reported/experienced physical violence, were more likely to be hospitalized ante-natally for maternal complications such as trauma due to blows/kicks on the pregnant abdomen, abruptio-placenta, pre-term labor and kidney infections. There was a positive association between physical violence during pregnancy and cesarean section, abruptio-placenta, fetal distress, and pre-maturity.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical violence during pregnancy is common and is associated with adverse materno-fetal outcome.
Rachana
Chibber
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, King Fahd Teaching Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar 31952, P.O. Box 2208 Dammam, Saudi Arabia. rchibber@hospital.kfu.edu.sa
Suraiya
Khwaja
K
Hisham
Al-Sibai
AS
Abdulaziz
Al-Mulhim
AM
Hai
Abdul
A
D000005:Abdomen; D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000453:epidemiology; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology