The magnitude of intimate partner violence during pregnancy and associated factors in rural Ethiopia

TL;DR

This study finds that nearly 40% of pregnant women in rural Ethiopia experience intimate partner violence, with factors like early marriage and low education playing a role.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the prevalence and associated factors of intimate partner violence during pregnancy in rural Ethiopia.

Findings

The overall prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy was 38.37%.

Early marriage, low education, and male substance abuse were significantly associated with IPV during pregnancy.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a global public health issue associated with adverse maternal and newborn health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of IPV during pregnancy and associated factors in rural Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 432 pregnant women in the rural Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia, in July 2023, using structured interview questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression was performed and the results were reported using adjusted ORs (AORs) with 95% CIs.

The overall prevalence of IPV during recent pregnancy was 38.37% (95% CI 33.82 to 43.18%). Among the specific forms of IPV, psychological, physical and sexual violence were 28.84% (95% CI 24.62 to 33.43%), 22.09% (95% CI 18.29 to 26.31%) and 20.70% (95% CI 17.02 to 24.84%), respectively. Key factors significantly associated with IPV during pregnancy included early marriage (before the age of 20 y), being uneducated, lower autonomy among women, husbands’ cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, poor knowledge of IPV among husbands and husbands’ involvement in antenatal care (ANC). IPV during pregnancy was notably high in the study setting.

Empowering women with low literacy, addressing male substance abuse, raising IPV awareness, promoting women's autonomy and encouraging male involvement in ANC visits are critical for reducing IPV.

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