Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy in Yenagoa, Southern Nigeria

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrated against women during pregnancy is quite common, and it could lead to psychological or emotional trauma, and physical injury to both mother and fetus. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of IPV perpetrated against women during pregnancy in Yenagoa. Methodology and subjects: This is a cross-sectional study of 640 booked parturient who received antenatal care at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) in Yenagoa. The participants were interviewed using a well structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Information obtained were patients bio-data, and issues related to IPV, such as: physical or emotional violence, sexual abuse, verbal violence, social violence, financial deprivation, and complications of IPV. Results: The prevalence of IPV during pregnancy was 65.6%, and the chances of having IPV was twice higher during pregnancy compared to non pregnant women, odd ratio = 2.96[2.36 – 3.71], p = 0.001 The most perpetrated act was social violence (44.1%), especially infidelity (20.6%). Next was financial deprivation (40.5%), predominated by taking control of the wife's financial resources (20.0%). Verbal violence was next (38.8%), especially name calling (24.1%). Physical violence was 22.5%, and slapping (12.5%) was the most common form of physical violence; only a handful of the women (2.5%) were attacked with weapons. The least perpetrated act was sexually abuse (13.1%), mostly sexual deprivation as punishment (7.3%). The complication rate from IPV was 13.5% (predominantly mild physical injuries), and only 1.2% reported IPV to police. Conclusion: IPV during pregnancy is quite common in Yenagoa, and a great majority of the women suffer in silence, even in the face of complications. Public enlightenment and advocacy by women right groups and activists are recommended. KEY WORDS: Intimate partner violence, pregnancy, Yenagoa, Southern Nigeria