Intimate partner violence against pregnant women: sociodemographic profile and characteristics of the aggressions

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naiane Beatriz da Silva ◽  
Rosely Erlach Goldman ◽  
Hugo Fernandes

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the sociodemographic profile and the main characteristics of violence by intimate partners in pregnant women in São Paulo, Brazil. Method: Cross-sectional study based on notifications for suspected or confirmed cases of inter-police violence from the National Disease Notification System (SINAN) carried out in the 2016-2019 period. Collection was performed between March and June 2020. Chi-squared test or Fisher’s Exact test were used in statistical analysis. Results: A total of 4,269 notifications were obtained and the prevalent profile was women between 20 and 34 years old (62.5%), brown or black (51.3%), who have completed high school (22.5%) in the first trimester of pregnancy (44.2%). Physical violence was more frequent (48.3%), occurred at home (59.1%), motivated by sexism (22.29%). Sexual violence or rape was more frequent (85.4%) with abortion in cases provided for by law (39%). Conclusion: Adult brown or black women in the first gestational trimester experienced physical violence more frequently.

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 601
Author(s):  
Houyu Zhao ◽  
Mei Zhang ◽  
Jiaming Bian ◽  
Siyan Zhan

Background: Antibiotic use in pregnant women at the national level has rarely been reported in China. Objectives: We aimed to investigate antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy in ambulatory care settings in China. Methods: Data of 4,574,961 ambulatory care visits of pregnant women from October 2014 to April 2018 were analyzed. Percentages of Antibiotic prescriptions by different subgroups and various diagnosis categories and proportions of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for different subgroups were estimated. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pregnancy categories were used to describe the antibiotic prescription patterns. The 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the Clopper––Pearson method or Goodman method. Results: Among the 4,574,961 outpatient visits during pregnancy, 2.0% (92,514 visits; 95% CI, 2.0–2.0%) were prescribed at least one antibiotic. The percentage of antibiotic prescriptions for pregnant women aged >40 years was 4.9% (95% CI, 4.7–5.0%), whereas that for pregnant women aged 26–30 years was 1.5% (95% CI, 1.4–1.5%). In addition, percentages of antibiotic prescriptions varied among different trimesters of pregnancy, which were 5.4% (95% CI, 5.3–5.4%) for the visits in the first trimester of pregnancy and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.4–0.5%) in the third trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, the percentages of antibiotic prescriptions substantially varied among different diagnosis categories and nearly three-quarters of antibiotic prescriptions had no clear indications and thus might be inappropriate. In total, 130,308 individual antibiotics were prescribed; among these, 60.4% (95% CI, 60.0–60.8%) belonged to FDA category B, 2.7% (95% CI, 2.1–3.5%) were classified as FDA category D and 16.8% (95% CI, 16.2–17.4%) were not assigned any FDA pregnancy category. Conclusions: Antibiotic prescriptions in ambulatory care during pregnancy were not highly prevalent in mainland China. However, a substantial proportion of antibiotics might have been prescribed without adequate indications. Antibiotics whose fetal safety has not been sufficiently illustrated were widely used in pregnant women.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Gayani Amarasinghe ◽  
Vasana Mendis ◽  
Thilini Agampodi

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy, which can lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, is a significant global health problem. Despite Sri Lanka’s strong public health system and commitment towards prevention, maternal anaemia remains a major problem in the country. While prevention is focused on iron deficiency, detailed etiological studies on this topic are scarce. Moreover, estimates of socio demographic and economic factors associated with anaemia in pregnancy, which can provide important clues for anaemia control, are also lacking. This study aims to evaluate the hemoglobin distribution, spatial distribution, etiology and associated factors for anaemia in pregnant women in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Methods: This is a cross sectional study of pregnant women in their first trimester registered for antenatal care from July to September 2019 in the Anuradhapura district. The minimal sample size was calculated to be 1866. Initial data collection has already been carried out in special field clinics for pregnant women between June to October 2019. An interviewer-administered questionnaire, a self-completed dietary questionnaire and an examination checklist were used for data collection. In addition, all participants underwent complete blood count testing. Further investigations are being conducted for predicting the etiology of anaemia based on a developed algorithm (such as high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] and peripheral blood film analysis). Discussion: Being the largest study on anaemia during pregnancy in a single geographical area in Sri Lanka, this study will provide important clues about geographical clustering of anaemia cases with similar etiology, associated factors and etiologies which would help to develop interventions to improve the health of pregnant women in the area. The possibility of selection bias is a potential limitation associated with the study design.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Epuitai ◽  
Samson Udho ◽  
Anna Grace Auma ◽  
Rose Chalo Nabirye

Background: Intimate partner violence may be more prevalent during pregnancy as women are more vulnerable. Aims: To determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence and associated factors among pregnant women at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 pregnant women. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Intimate partner violence was measured using the revised Conflict Tactile Scale 2. Findings: The overall prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy was 27.8%. Household average monthly income, experiences of intimate partner violence before pregnancy and marital conflicts were independently associated with intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Conclusions: Screening should be done during antenatal care among women with low household income, marital conflicts, and history of intimate partner violence before pregnancy to identify and manage cases of intimate partner violence. More research is needed to identify interventions for reduction of intimate partner violence during pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoang Dao Nhat Linh ◽  
Le Sy Phuc An ◽  
Le Minh Tam ◽  
Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy

Abstract Introduction: A healthy sexual life would contribute to a lasting intimate couple relationship; pregnant women were susceptible to physical, psychological and social changes leading to sexual alterations and dysfunction in pregnancy. In ***, despite not being a novel domain, sexuality has not been extensively evaluated due to the influence of Eastern tradition, which creating promotes unsecured feelings of insecurity when talking about sex.Aim: To investigate the female sexual function alteration during the 1st trimester of pregnancy and some related factors among *** women.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study comprising 383 women aged from 18 years old having routine antenatal visits at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, *** Hospital from April 2016 to March 2017. Data were collected by interviews using is Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire.Main outcome measures: Subjects’ sexual function alteration, using the validated *** version of Female Sexual Function Index.Results: The prevalence of women with female sexual function alteration before pregnancy was 53% and in 1st trimester was 88.8%. The frequency of intercourses during 1st trimester of pregnancy is lower than before pregnancy (p<0.05). The main reasons of no sexual activity during pregnancy were fear of harming the fetus (75.1%) and prefer not to be satisfied in the short-term rather than hurt the baby (73.5%). Factors affected female sexual function were age, time of living-together, age of 1st sexual intercourse, pregnancy planning, obstetrical history, sexual initiative, religion, academic level, and jobs (p<0.05).Conclusions: Sexual function alteration among first trimester pregnant women is a problem which should be considered, and medical staff should provide counseling to them to improve the quality of their sexual life and maintain normal course of pregnancy.


Author(s):  
Aysegul Ozer ◽  
Mujde Canday ◽  
Aslihan Yurtkal ◽  
Ebru Alici Davutoglu ◽  
Yasam Kemal Akpak ◽  
...  

Background: Toxoplasma Gondii, Rubella, and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) are the most common causes of congenital infections worldwide. There is not a consensus on these infectious agents should be screened during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of toxoplasma, rubella, and CMV infections in order to know the need for antenatal screening.Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 1309 ambulatory pregnant patients who applied to the obstetric clinic of a university hospital between October 2016 and April 2018. Documents of patients in the first trimester were reviewed and serologic data of Toxoplasma gondii, CMV, Rubella infections were retrieved from the computer database.Results: Of 1309 pregnant women, positivity for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody was 352(26.9%), while 17(1.3%) of the subjects tested were positive for the anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibody. These positivities of the pregnant women for anti-Rubella IgG and IgM were 1147(87.6%) and (0.1%), respectively. These positivities of the pregnant women for anti-CMV IgG and IgM were 1163(88.8%) and 17(1.3%), respectively.Conclusions: We detected high rates of immunity against Rubella and CMV but low rates of immunity against Toxoplasma in this retrospective cohort of pregnant women. Due to high rates of seropositivity against Rubella and CMV, routine nationwide screening may not be necessary.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya-Nan Yin ◽  
Yan Huang ◽  
Xing-Hui Liu ◽  
Bi-Ru Luo

Abstract Objective To assess the patterns and intensities of physical activity among pregnant women in southwestern China, which help us create a fitness regimen based on the 2002 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidelines for exercise during pregnancy. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed to recruit pregnant women at a prenatal checking visit clinic with the self-administered Chinese version of Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). Results A total of 1179 Chinese pregnant women were enrolled, of whom 92.60% were classified as not meeting the ACOG guidelines. By intensity, 47.36% of the score was attributed to light-intensity activities (1.5 to <3.0 metabolic equivalent [MET]) in the first trimester; the other 2 trimesters were similar. By patterns, about 45.15% of the score was attributed to inactivity. More than 82.35% of enrolled pregnant women regarded slowly walking as the most common type of exercise during pregnancy. Conclusions This study represents a group of Chinese women who maintained an inactive lifestyle, including low-intensity activities and unitary type of exercises during their pregnancy. Health-care providers are advised to provide appropriate physical activity guidelines to pregnant women. Development of MET-hours/week recommendations is warranted to promote greater physical activity during pregnancy.


Author(s):  
Dewanto Khrisnamurti

Objective: To detect malaria by PCR examination of saliva in pregnant women and to obtain the incidence of malaria and the type of plasmodium causing malaria in pregnant women at various hospital in North Sulawesi. Method: A descriptive cross sectional study in pregnant women during antenatal care at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty of Medicine University of Sam Ratulangi/Prof. Dr. R.D. Kandou General Hospital in Manado, R.W. Monginsidi Hospital in Manado, Bethesda Hospital in Tomohon, and Datoe Binangkang Hospital in Kotamobagu, from 1 April until 31 May 2008. Result: There were 43 pregnant women clinically diagnosed with malaria, 23 (53.49%) by PCR examination of saliva and 20 (46.59%) by blood smears. From 23 cases of malaria in pregnancy detected by PCR, there were 18 diagnosed as tropical malaria, 3 tertian malaria, and 2 mixed malaria. Conclusions: The incidence of malaria in pregnancy at various hospital in North Sulawesi using PCR methods for saliva examination from April 1 - May 31 2008 is 53.49%. In this study malaria are mostly caused by Plasmodium falciparum with the largest incidence in primigravida, in the first trimester. [Indones J Obstet Gynecol 2012; 36-1:14-9] Keywords: malaria, PCR, pregnancy, saliva


Author(s):  
Santhini Gopalakrishnan Sethulekshmi ◽  
S Sumathy ◽  
Banani Dutta

Introduction: Pregnancy is a period that is characterised by remarkable physiological changes which are needed to support the growing fetus. Micronutrients play a crucial role in the maintenance of pregnancy. Among the micronutrients, magnesium has got ample amount of clinical relevance to pregnancy. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with reproductive risk during pregnancy such as anaemia, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, fetal growth retardation, preterm labour, low intrauterine growth rate and leg cramps. Aim: To find out whether there was significant difference in the magnesium levels among pregnant women with and without pregnancy related complications and also to find out whether the magnesium levels differed significantly among the three trimesters. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done among 240 pregnant patients from different trimesters attending the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Outpatient Department. Out of them 164 women had complications like pre-eclampsia, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, leg cramps and history of abortions. Demographic details were obtained from all the women. BMI was calculated for each subject using the formula BMI=weight(kg)/height(m2). Haemoglobin was assessed in all samples using cyanmethaemoglobin method. Magnesium levels were analysed in the all samples using automated analyser in the Biochemistry laboratory. Student’s t-test was used to compare the levels of magnesium among the groups with and without complications. ANOVA test was used to compare the three trimesters. Results: The pregnant women were divided into three groups based on the different trimesters in which the samples were taken. Magnesium levels among the women in the first trimester were (2.96±0.83) second trimester (2.99±1.48) and third trimester (3.05±1.48) respectively. Women with previous abortions were found to have less magnesium levels (2.71) compared to women without a history of abortion (3.11) and value was found to be statistically significant (p<0.007) and magnesium levels among vegetarians (2.45) were lower than non vegetarians (3.08) and it was found to be statistical significant (p<0.013). There was no significant difference in the magnesium levels among pregnant women with complications and those without complications. Conclusion: The study shows the importance of maintaining the magnesium levels among pregnant women. There was no difference in the magnesium levels among the three trimesters. Study also points out the influence of parity, diet and occupation of pregnant women on the levels of magnesium.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoang Dao Nhat Linh ◽  
Le Sy Phuc An ◽  
Le Minh Tam ◽  
Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy

Abstract Introduction: A healthy sexual life would contribute to a lasting intimate couple relationship; pregnant women were susceptible to physical, psychological and social changes leading to sexual alterations and dysfunction in pregnancy. In Vietnam, despite not being a novel domain, sexuality has not been extensively evaluated due to the influence of Eastern tradition, which creating promotes unsecured feelings of insecurity when talking about sex.Aim: To investigate the female sexual function alteration during the 1st trimester of pregnancy and some related factors among Vietnamse women.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study comprising 383 women aged from 18 years old having routine antenatal visits at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from April 2016 to March 2017. Data were collected by interviews using is Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire.Main outcome measures: Subjects’ sexual function alteration, using the validated Vietnamese version of Female Sexual Function Index.Results: The prevalence of women with female sexual function alteration before pregnancy was 53% and in 1st trimester was 88.8%. The frequency of intercourses during 1st trimester of pregnancy is lower than before pregnancy (p<0.05). The main reasons of no sexual activity during pregnancy were fear of harming the fetus (75.1%) and prefer not to be satisfied in the short-term rather than hurt the baby (73.5%). Factors affected female sexual function were age, time of living-together, age of 1st sexual intercourse, pregnancy planning, obstetrical history, sexual initiative, religion, academic level, and jobs (p<0.05).Conclusions: Sexual function alteration among first trimester pregnant women is a problem which should be considered, and medical staff should provide counseling to them to improve the quality of their sexual life and maintain normal course of pregnancy.


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