scholarly journals Exploring antenatal care utilization and intimate partner violence in Benin - are lives at stake?

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina Idriss-Wheeler ◽  
Sanni Yaya

Abstract Background The republic of Benin ranks in the bottom third of countries recently assessed for ANC coverage and its Ministry of Family and National Solidarity (2009) reported close to 70% of Beninese women suffered abuse at least once in their lifetime. Utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services is key to positive health outcomes for both mother and infant. This study examined the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on the utilization of ANC services in Benin using both the basic 4 visit model (ANC-4) and the updated WHO recommended 8-visit model (ANC-8). Methods Data used for this study were collected from the nationally representative 2017–2018 Benin Demographic Health Survey (BDHS) on ever-partnered women aged 15–49 who had completed both reproductive maternal health and domestic violence modules of the survey. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to determine significant factors associated with ANC utilization in Benin. Results Over 40% of the women (n = 3084) reported experience of IPV in their lifetime. Findings revealed that women who ever experienced IPV (OR 0.753, 95% CI: 0.628–0.901; p = 0.002) had 25% less odds of accessing the basic four ANC visits. IPV was not found to be a factor in accessing at least eight ANC visits. With increasing number of children, there was less likelihood of accessing at least four and at least eight visits. Being in the richest quintile (OR 5.490, 95% CI 3.907–7.714; p < 0.000 for ANC-4; OR, 5.781, 95% CI: 3.208–10.41; p < 0.000), making decisions on household and health care (OR 1.279, 95% CI: 1.042–1.569 for ANC-4; OR, 1.724; 95% CI: 1.170–2.540; p = 0.006 for ANC-8), and getting paid cash for work increased the chances of utilizing ANC-four (OR 1.451, 95% CI: 1.122–1.876; 0.005) but not for ANC-eight. Belonging to the Muslim faith decreased the odds of ANC utilization compared to all other religions. Conclusion This work revealed key areas for maternal health policy makers and service providers in Benin to appropriately plan effective policies (i.e., alleviate poverty; equitable health services access; cultural sensitivity) and necessary interventions (i.e. ANC education, IPV prevention, paid employment, alcohol cessation) to increase utilization of ANC.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Bahati ◽  
Josias Izabayo ◽  
Japhet Niyonsenga ◽  
Vincent Sezibera ◽  
Léon Mutesa

Abstract Background: Although compelling evidence shows that the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is detrimental to both physical and mental health of the victims and their offspring, studies on negative impact of IPV on antenatal care (ANC) services utilization are scarce. Methods: The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of IPV exposure on ANC services utilization indicators such as (i) initiation of care within the first three months of pregnancy, (ii) receipt of at least four ANC visits and (iii) receipt of care from skilled providers among reproductive age women in Rwanda. This study used the data from the 2014-15 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of physical and sexual IPV on the antenatal care (ANC) services utilization indicators. Results: Among married women living with their partners with at least one child aged 5years or under (N=5116), 17% of them reported physical violence, 22.8% reported psychological violence and 9.2% reported sexual violence. We found that there was a significant negative relationship between physical IPV and both early ANC and sufficient ANC. Women who had experienced physical violence by their partners during the preced­ing 12 months were less likely to receive more than four ANC visits, (O.R) = 0.6151 confidence interval (CI) [0.417-0.908] and they were less likely to attend the first ANC visits within the first three months (O.R) =0.656 confidence interval (CI) = [0.445-0.967].Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of IPV is still high and there is evidence that it does have significant impact on ANC. Therefore, the results provide support for continued efforts to reduce intimate partner violence, through the improvement of screening for IVP during ANC visits.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Kabir ◽  
Anwarul Azim Majumder ◽  
SM Yasir Arafat ◽  
Rocky Khan Chodwhury ◽  
Shireen Sultana ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives:Sub Saharan Africa region is considered as one of the deprived regions of this world and women from this part of the world are suffering from intimate partner violence. This study was undertaken to assess the impact of intimate partner violence on utilization of antenatal care services among the ever married women.Materials and Methods:This is a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The data used in this research was extracted from the Tanzania Demographic Health Survey 2015-16. A total of 13, 266 women were interviewed.Results:The mean age of the respondents is 28.69 years. About 74% women visited antenatal care services more than 4 times. Logistic regression results indicate that the middle-aged adult women (35-49 years age group) were identified having lower odds (Odds ratio: 0.807, 95% CI: 0.693-0.940, P<0.001) than women in younger age group. Women who did not complete their secondary education were less likelihood to experience IPV (Odds ratio: 0.705, 95% CI: 0.540-0.922, P<0.010).Conclusion:Intimate partner violence is one main challenge to women’s health and wellbeing during pregnancy period. Proper implementation and community based interventions to support pregnant women to seek antenatal care services and to raise awareness regarding intimate partner violence are advocated. 


2020 ◽  
pp. VV-D-19-00129
Author(s):  
Wai Hung Wallace Tsang ◽  
T. M. Simon Chan ◽  
Monit Cheung

Intimate partner violence (IPV) literature has addressed differential socialization for designing interventions, mainly helping female victims and male perpetrators. From a gender-specific perspective, this study examines the abused men's postponed decisions to disclose victimization or seek help. Through individual interviews, 10 Chinese male IPV survivors in Hong Kong described their help-seeking journey. A three-pillar approach is applied to guide the analysis in terms of psychological factors, cultural barriers, and decisional challenges when men are seeking help. Results reveal negative influences bearing on male survivors' help-seeking behaviors and support how men can rebuild positive personal strengths after experiencing the impact of abuse on oneself and the family. Service providers must identify barriers of delayed help-seeking decisions and treat IPV survivors with respect and acceptance to facilitate abuse disclosure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Bahati ◽  
Josias Izabayo ◽  
Japhet Niyonsenga ◽  
Vincent Sezibera ◽  
Léon Mutesa

Abstract Background Although compelling evidence shows that exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is detrimental to both physical and mental health of the victims and their fetuses, studies on negative impact of IPV on antenatal care (ANC) services utilization are scarce. Methods The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of IPV exposure on ANC services utilization indicators such as (i) initiation of care within the first 3 months of pregnancy, (ii) receipt of at least four ANC visits and (iii) receipt of care from skilled providers among reproductive age women in Rwanda. This study used the data from the 2014–15 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of physical and sexual IPV on the ANC services utilization indicators. Results Among married women living with their partners with at least one child aged 5 years or under (N = 5116), 17% of them reported physical violence, 22.8% reported psychological violence and 9.2% reported sexual violence. We found that there was a significant negative relationship between physical IPV and both early ANC and sufficient ANC. Women who had experienced physical violence by their partners during the preceding 12 months were less likely to receive more than four ANC visits, (O.R = 0.61, CI = 0.417–0.908) and they were less likely to attend the first ANC visits within the first 3 months (O.R = 0.656, CI = 0.445–0.967). Conclusion In this study, the prevalence of IPV still remains high and there is evidence that it does have significant impact on ANC. Therefore, the results provide support for continued efforts to reduce intimate partner violence, through the improvement of screening for IPV during ANC visits.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-159
Author(s):  
Darius Tandon ◽  
Deborah F. Perry ◽  
Karen Edwards ◽  
Tamar Mendelson ◽  

Perinatal women enrolled in home visiting (HV) programs exhibit high rates of depression, substance use, and intimate partner violence (IPV). While HV programs have increasingly screened for these psychosocial risks, initiation and uptake of community-based services to address these risks remain challenging. This project used a community-engaged research approach to engage key HV stakeholders in developing the screening, referral, and individualized prevention and treatment (SCRIPT) model. We highlight how a group of key HV stakeholders—the SCRIPT Advisory Panel—collaborated with academic researchers to develop the SCRIPT model by reviewing literature on HV programs’ response to psychosocial risk factors and qualitative data obtained from mental health, substance use, and IPV service providers to whom HV programs referred clients. SCRIPT focuses on (a) screening for psychosocial risks, (b) developing partnerships with outside agencies to address these risk factors, and (c) establishing concrete and systematic processes for client referral and monitoring with outside agencies. SCRIPT provides a structured model for HV programs to systematically identify clients for key psychosocial risks and structure their referral and monitoring process when working with social service agencies. Future work should examine the impact of SCRIPT on mental health, substance use, and IPV service access and use by a vulnerable population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Yasir Arafat

<p><strong>Background and Objectives:</strong> Sub Saharan Africa region is considered as one of the deprived regions of this world and women from this part of the world are suffering from intimate partner violence. This study was undertaken to assess the impact of intimate partner violence on utilization of antenatal care services among the ever married women.</p><p><strong>Materials and Methods:</strong> This is a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The data used in this research was extracted from the Tanzania Demographic Health Survey 2015-16. A total of 13, 266 women were interviewed.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of the respondents is 28.69 years. About 74% women visited antenatal care services more than 4 times. Logistic regression results indicate that the middle-aged adult women (35-49 years age group) were identified having lower odds (Odds ratio: 0.807, 95% CI: 0.693-0.940, P&lt;0.001) than women in younger age group. Women who did not complete their secondary education were less likelihood to experience IPV (Odds ratio: 0.705, 95% CI: 0.540-0.922, P&lt;0.010).</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> IPV is one main challenge to women’s health and wellbeing during pregnancy period. Proper implementation and community based interventions to support pregnant women to seek antenatal care services and to raise awareness regarding intimate partner violence are advocated.</p>


2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110541
Author(s):  
Diana P. K. Roeg ◽  
Ed L. B. Hilterman ◽  
Chijs van Nieuwenhuizen

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has a high prevalence and serious consequences for the wellbeing of the victims. The impact of partner violence and the behavior of female victims continue to be poorly understood. Recently, a number of reviews have enhanced the understanding of the needs of female victims of IPV. These reviews improve the evidence base relating to IPV needs assessment and can enhance effectiveness of service provision. The aim of the current study is to review the currency of the knowledge used by social workers working with victims of IPV. We used a qualitative design in which 23 social workers from 10 IPV teams were asked to react to vignettes. Participants were asked what they perceived to be essential for understanding the women’s needs and determining an accurate treatment and guidance plan. Data were analyzed using open coding, followed by thematic analysis. Results indicate that in health services planning for battered women, service providers ask about the right domains, including: the characteristics of the relationship, social context, nature and pattern of abuse, characteristics of the female client, and—although to in a lesser degree—characteristics of the partner. Unfortunately, the sub themes within these domains are only partially considered, and sometimes superficially considered. Some topics that were not determined in the literature as relevant needs factors were seen as important by social workers, or assessed too soon, including the stay or leave question. These findings underline the realistic risk that staff members miss the actual reasons women stay with their partners or make certain choices in their help-seeking behavior. Incorrect needs assessments enhance the risk of female victims feeling unheard, and ineffective service provision, leading to care avoidance and low compliance with the services provided.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document