Domestic abuse--an antenatal survey at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban.
OBJECTIVE
To determine exposure to domestic violence by a partner or spouse among pregnant women attending a public sector hospital in Durban, South Africa.


METHODS
Six hundred and four randomly chosen women from a low-income community were interviewed over a 6-month period using a standardised questionnaire.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight per cent had experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives. Physical abuse (52%) was the most common, and 35% had been abused during the current pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Domestic violence is common in pregnancy among women attending a public sector hospital.
Mbokota
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Research Council/University of Natal Pregnancy Hypertension Research Unit, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal, Durban.
Moodley
J
J
D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology