Domestic Violence during Pregnancy: Prevalence and Relationship with Maternal and Neonatal Adverse Outcomes

Abstract

Domestic violence during pregnancy can have adverse effects on both the mother and the newborn. However, limited amount of data on such issue exists in Thailand. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy and the association between domestic violence during pregnancy and adverse maternal and newborn health outcomes. It was conducted as a hospital-based crosssectional study at two general hospitals in central Thailand. Data were collected by face-to-face interview of postpartum mothers visiting the hospitals for giving childbirth or postpartum services, using a validated structured questionnaire. It was found that 30.2% of participants experienced domestic violence during their pregnancy, with verbal violence being the most common form, followed by psychological, physical, and sexual violence. Women who experienced domestic violence during pregnancy gave birth to newborns with lower mean birth weight than women who did not experience violence and were more likely to provide preterm birth (32.2% vs. 13.0%, p-value = 0.003). The prevalence of experiencing domestic violence during pregnancy was relatively high. Domestic violence was associated with birth weight and preterm birth. The experience of domestic violence could have been under-reported due to the sensitivity of the issue. The caveat is advised in the interpretation of the study findings.