title: Pattern and determinants of domestic violence among prenatal clinic attendees in a referral centre, South-east Nigeria.
abstract: Gender-based violence, though deeply entrenched in some cultures and religions, has remained a neglected area in health research in South-east Nigeria. This study assessed the prevalence, pattern and background factors precipitating domestic violence in a population of prenatal clinic attendees. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Booked antenatal women were recruited into the study after informed consent. Trained research assistants administered the questionnaires in the local dialects of the women. Analysis was by the Epi Info Statistical Software package version 3.2.2 of 2005. A total of 500 women were involved in the study that spanned 3 months. Of these, 68 were exposed to gender-based violence. Verbal abuse/insult was the commonest form of male engendered violence. Others were sexual abuse, financial deprivation, threats and physical harm. Financial and domestic issues were the major sources of disagreements. Some 17.6% sustained physical injury, while all admitted to some degree of psychological trauma. Routine assessment in a non-judgemental way of antenatal population for gender-based violence is advocated. This will determine the true prevalence and pattern of domestic violence, and form a rational basis for the formulation of interventional strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. oujair@yahoo.com
authors.forename: O U J
authors.initials: OU
authors.lastname: Umeora
authors.forename: B I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Dimejesi
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Ejikeme
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Egwuatu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires