Prevalence of violence against pregnant women and associated maternal and neonatal complications in Leon, Mexico.
OBJECTIVE
to determine the prevalence of violence against women and associated maternal and neonatal complications in a developing country setting.


METHODS
cross-sectional study using a face-to-face questionnaire.


METHODS
postpartum area at a tertiary care referral hospital in Leon, Mexico.


METHODS
1623 postpartum women.


METHODS
women were recruited at 24-72 h post partum. The diagnosis and severity of violence were assessed using a modified questionnaire based on the Index of Spouse Abuse and Severity of Violence against Women Scale.


RESULTS
of 1623 women, 711 (43.8%) were diagnosed with violence during pregnancy; 563 (79.1%) experienced mild violence and 148 (20.9%) experienced severe violence. Of the women who experienced violence, 72.9% experienced psychological violence, 15.8% experienced physical violence and 11.3% experienced sexual violence. Maternal complications were higher in women who experienced violence (30.2% vs 23.6%, p = 0.004). Women who experienced sexual violence had more maternal complications (43.2%), and women who experienced psychological violence had more neonatal complications (54.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
violence during pregnancy is quite common in the study setting. Maternal complications are higher in women who experience violence during pregnancy. The type of violence has different effects on maternal and neonatal health.


CONCLUSIONS
it is recommended that pregnant women who are experiencing violence should be identified during antenatal care to avoid maternal or neonatal complications.
Romero-Gutiérrez
Gustavo
G
Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division of Health Research, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. gustavo.romerog@imss.gob.mx
Cruz-Arvizu
Víctor Hugo
VH
Regalado-Cedillo
Claudia Araceli
CA
Ponce-Ponce de León
Ana Lilia
AL
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007229:Infant Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008429:Maternal Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012938:Social Perception; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult