title: The prevalence of domestic violence against pregnant women in Perak, Malaysia.
abstract: Domestic violence during pregnancy is a key issue in maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. This cross-sectional study aimed at obtaining the prevalence of domestic violence amongst pregnant women who attended Ipoh General Hospital in Perak, Malaysia and to determine the risk factors associated with domestic violence during pregnancy. The prevalence of domestic violence was low (4.5%). Comparison between the two groups of subjects with or without domestic violence did not show any significant difference in terms of risk factors. The effect of domestic violence on pregnancy should be investigated comprehensively in a multicentral or community-based study using a culturally sensitive questionnaire. With the estimated low prevalence of domestic violence in this study, the need for screening it in health-care services in Malaysia is yet to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal College of Medicine, No. 3 Greentown Street, Ipoh, Perak 30450, Malaysia. jahanfar2000@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Shayesteh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jahanfar
authors.forename: Ellizza Bt
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Kamarudin
authors.forename: Mohammad Alavi B
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sarpin
authors.forename: Nordin B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Zakaria
authors.forename: Raihan Bt
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Abdul Rahman
authors.forename: Rinni Damayanti Bt
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Samsuddin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*