title: Prevalence, risk factors, and complications of violence against pregnant women in a hospital in Peninsular Malaysia.
abstract: Violence against women is a worldwide public health problem and becomes more crucial when it involves pregnant women. The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of violence against pregnant women (VAPW), while the secondary aim was to identify the factors associated with violence and complications of violence during pregnancy. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 1,200 postnatal women from March 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015 using a validated Malay Version of the WHO Women's Health and Life Experiences Questionnaire. Data on pregnancy complications were obtained from antenatal records and discharge summaries. The prevalence of any form of VAPW was 35.9%, consisting of: any psychological (29.8%); any physical (12.9%); and any sexual (9.8%) violence. VAPW was significantly associated with: (1) women's use of drugs, having had exposure to violence during childhood, having a violence-supporting attitude, having two or more children; and (2) having partners who were smokers, alcohol drinkers, or had controlling behavior. VAPW was significantly associated with anemia, urinary tract infection, premature rupture of membranes, antepartum hemorrhage, poor weight gain during pregnancy, low birth weight, and prematurity. In conclusion, the high prevalence of violence requires further research on preventive strategies for VAPW.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khaironisak
authors.affiliation: b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Tuanku Fauziah Hospital , Perlis , Malaysia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaridah
authors.affiliation: c Community Medicine Unit, International Medical School , Management and Science University , Shah Alam , Malaysia.
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Hasanain
authors.affiliation: a Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Zaleha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health
keywords: Adverse pregnancy outcome; associated factors; prevalence; violence; violence complications