Relationship between domestic violence and postnatal depression among pregnant Chinese women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy and postnatal depression, and to explore the relationship between domestic violence and postnatal depression among Chinese women.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional survey, 846 pregnant women were screened with the Abuse Assessment Screen; 215 women completed the postnatal follow-up. All participants underwent psychosocial assessment, with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale being used for the evaluation of postnatal depression.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy was 11.3%, and the most common form of domestic violence was psychologic abuse. The follow-up interviews showed a higher prevalence of postnatal depression among women who had been abused during pregnancy (25.1%) than among those who had not (6.0%). Psychologic abuse during pregnancy, an unexpected pregnancy, an attitude of acceptance toward violence, and concern over the newborn's health were related with postnatal depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Domestic violence during pregnancy and related factors contributed to postnatal depression in a population of Chinese women. The findings emphasize the importance of intervention among vulnerable populations in low-income countries.
Tianjin Mental Health Centre, Tianjin, China.
Yong
Y
Zhang
Shaohong
S
Zou
Yuping
Y
Cao
Yalin
Y
Zhang
D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires