Association of Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse with Intimate Partner Violence, Poor General Health and Depressive Symptoms among Pregnant Women

The current literature contains few studies conducted on the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on pregnancy symptoms. Does being subjected to IPV during pregnancy increase the incidence of pregnancy-related symptoms? The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of IPV on pregnancy-related symptoms. The study was conducted as comparative, descriptive, and cross-sectional research with a total of 370 participants. Data were collected using the Domestic Violence Against Women Screening Form, the Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory (PSI), and a descriptive questionnaire. The types of IPV the women in the study had experienced during pregnancy were, in order of frequency, verbal abuse (31.1 %; n = 115), economic abuse (25.9 %; n = 96), physical violence (8.4 %; n = 31), and sexual abuse (5.9%; n = 22). The PSI scores for the pregnant women subjected to physical violence related to gastrointestinal system symptoms ( p < .05), cardiovascular system symptoms ( p < .05), mental health symptoms ( p = 0), neurological system symptoms ( p < .05), urinary system symptoms ( p < .01), and tiredness or fatigue ( p = 0); their total PSI scores ( p = 0) were significantly higher statistically than those of women who did not experience physical violence during pregnancy. The scores of the pregnant women subjected to sexual abuse related to mental health symptoms ( p < .05), and their total PSI scores ( p < .05) were significantly higher than those of women who did not experience sexual abuse. The scores of the pregnant women subjected to economic abuse related to tiredness or fatigue ( p < .01) and their mental health symptom scores ( p < .05) were significantly higher than those of women who did not experience economic abuse. Our results showed that women subjected to IPV during pregnancy experienced a higher incidence of pregnancy symptoms.

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Sintomas depressivos em gestantes e violência por parceiro íntimo: um estudo transversal

Enfermería Global ◽

10.6018/eglobal.408841 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 1-45

Author(s):

Leilson Da Silva Lima ◽

Tainá Orrara Amaral do Carmo ◽

Custódio De Souza Brito Neto ◽

José Luis Da Cunha Pena

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Family Income ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Country Study ◽

Unwanted Pregnancies

Objetivo: Evaluar la presencia de síntomas depresivos en gestantes y su asociación con la violencia de pareja.Métodos: Este es un estudio piloto transversal de una muestra de 65 gestantes que recibieron atención prenatal en la Unidad Básica de Salud de la Universidad Federal de Amapá entre septiembre y octubre de 2018. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó un cuestionario socioeconómico, demográfico y obstétrico; la Escala de Depresión Posparto de Edimburgo, y el Estudio Multipaís sobre la salud de la mujer y la violencia doméstica.Resultados: El 41,5% de las gestantes tienen síntomas depresivos, en el análisis de regresión logística, estos síntomas tienen una asociación significativa con mujeres que sufren algún tipo de violencia de pareja (OR = 6,74; IC 95% 2,0 – 21,7; p = 0,001) Además, estar empleada, ser soltera, tener bajo nivel de escolaridad, bajos ingresos familiares y embarazo no deseado influyeron significativamente en los síntomas depresivos durante el embarazo.Conclusiones: Hubo un alto porcentaje de síntomas depresivos durante el embarazo y estos se relacionan con la violencia de pareja. Objective: To evaluate the presence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women and their association with intimate partner violence.Methods: This is a cross-sectional pilot study conducted with a sample of 65 pregnant women who performed prenatal care at the Basic Health Unit of the Federal University of Amapá in September and October 2018. For data collection, a socioeconomic, demographic and obstetric questionnaire was used, apart from the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, and the Multi-Country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence.Results: 41.5% of the pregnant women had depressive symptoms; in the logistic regression analysis, these symptoms have a significant association in women who suffer some type of intimate partner violence (OR = 6.74; 95% CI: 2.0 - 21.7; p = 0.001). In addition, being employed, being single, having low schooling, low family income, and unwanted pregnancies were affected by depressive symptoms during pregnancy.Conclusions: There was a high percentage of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and these were related to intimate partner violence. Objetivo: Avaliar a presença de sintomas depressivos em gestantes e sua associação com a violência sofrida pelo parceiro.Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo piloto transversal a partir de uma amostra de 65 gestantes que realizaram acompanhamento de pré-natal na Unidade Básica de Saúde da Universidade Federal do Amapá nos meses de setembro e outubro de 2018. Para coleta foi usado um questionário socioeconômico, demográfico e obstétrico; a Escala de Depressão Pós-Parto de Edimburgo; e o Estudo Multi-Países sobre Saúde da Mulher e Violência Doméstica.Resultados: 41,5% das gestantes apresentaram sintomas depressivos, na análise de regressão logística esses sintomas mostraram ter associação significativa em mulheres que sofreram algum tipo de violência pelo parceiro íntimo (OR = 6,74; IC95% 2,0 - 21,7; p=0,001), além disso, estar empregada, ser solteira, ter baixa escolaridade, baixa renda familiar e gravidez indesejada foram significativamente influenciadores para os sintomas depressivos durante a gestação.Conclusões: Houve alta porcentagem de sintomas depressivos durante a gestação e esses estiveram relacionados com a violência por parceiro íntimo.

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