scholarly journals Intimate partner violence during pregnancy in relation to non-psychotic mental health disorders in Rwanda: a cross-sectional population-based study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e021807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akashi Andrew Rurangirwa ◽  
Ingrid Mogren ◽  
Joseph Ntaganira ◽  
Kaymarlin Govender ◽  
Gunilla Krantz

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of non-psychotic mental health disorders (MHDs) and the association between exposure to all forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy and MHDs.DesignCross-sectional population-based study conducted in the Northern Province of Rwanda and Kigali city.Participants and settingsTotally, 921 women who gave birth ≤13 months before being interviewed were included. Simple random sampling was done to select villages, households and participants. Community health workers helped to identify eligible participants and clinical psychologists, nurses or midwives conducted face-to-face interviews. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression modellingResultsThe prevalence rates of generalised anxiety disorder, suicide ideation and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 19.7%, 10.8% and 8.0%, respectively. Exposure to the four forms of IPV during pregnancy was highly associated with the likelihood of meeting diagnostic criteria for each of the non-psychotic MHDs investigated. Physical, psychological and sexual violence, showed the strongest association with PTSD, with adjusted ORs (aORs) of 4.5, 6.2 and 6.3, respectively. Controlling behaviour had the strongest association with major depressive episode in earlier periods with an aOR of 9.2.ConclusionIPV and MHDs should be integrated into guidelines for perinatal care. Moreover, community-based services aimed at increasing awareness and early identification of violence and MHDs should be instituted in all villages and health centres in Rwanda. Finally, healthcare providers need to be educated and trained in a consistent manner to manage the most challenging cases quickly, discreetly and efficiently.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid M.A Eriksen ◽  
Marita Melhus ◽  
Bjarne Koster Jacobsen ◽  
Berit Schei ◽  
Ann-Ragnhild Broderstad

Abstract Background: Mental health problems is an important contributor to the global burden of disease. Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and violence in childhood (CV) is associated with mental health problems. These issues are scarcely studied among the Sami. This study estimates the prevalence of IPV and its association to mental health problems among Sami and non-Sami, and whether the effect of IPV on mental health was altered by exposure to CV. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study estimating IPV and its association to mental health problems among Sami and non-Sami in Norway. Methods: This study was based on the cross-sectional SAMINOR 2 Questionnaire Survey, a part of the Population-based Study on Health and Living Conditions in Regions with Sami and Norwegian Populations – the SAMINOR Study. Pearson’s chi-square tests and two-sample t-tests were used for testing differences between groups and multiple linear regression analysis was applied to explore the association between IPV/CV and mental health problems (continuous scores of psychological distress and symptoms of post-traumatic stress). Results: A total of 12.8% of women and 2.0% of men reported to have experienced any IPV (emotional, physical, and/or sexual). A significantly higher proportion of Sami women reported exposure to emotional (12.4% vs. 9.5%, p=.003), physical (11.6% vs. 6.9%, p<.001), and any IPV (17.2% vs. 11.8%, p<.001) compared to non-Sami women. There were no ethnic differences in sexual IPV among women (2.1% vs. 1.8%, p=.5). The study demonstrated that being exposed to emotional, physical, or sexual IPV is associated with mental health problems. The most severe mental health problems were observed among those who reported both IPV and CV. There were no ethnic differences in the association between the different types of IPV and mental health problems, and we observed overall similar results among men and women. Conclusions: The most severe mental health problems were observed for those who were exposed to both IPV and CV. It is therefore important for victims of IPV to address experiences of violence in childhood. The effect that IPV and CV have on mental health problems seems to be same, regardless of ethnicity and gender.


Partner Abuse ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison M. Nathanson ◽  
Ryan C. Shorey ◽  
Vanessa Tirone ◽  
Deborah L. Rhatigan

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, devastating, and prevalent problem. IPV places women at risk for negative health consequences, including increased mental health disorders. The majority of research to date has focused on mental health disorders among women in domestic violence shelters, and research is needed that examines mental health disorders among a broader range of women experiencing IPV. Therefore, this study examined the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance abuse disorders in a community sample of IPV victims (N = 94) using diagnostic interviews. Results showed that the majority of women met diagnostic criteria for a mental health disorder, with PTSD being the most common mental health disorder. Furthermore, psychological abuse was a significant predictor of both PTSD and depression, whereas physical aggression did not predict these outcomes. Implications of these findings for treatment and intervention work with battered women are discussed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document