Profiling Pregnant Women at Risk for Domestic Violence in Jamaica: A Pilot Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 170-180
Author(s):  
Cynthia Pearl Pitter ◽  
Leith Dunn

Background:Domestic violence (DV) is recognized as a priority in maternity care. Data on the prevalence and profile of women experiencing DV during pregnancy are limited in Jamaica. This baseline study has identified the prevalence and provided a profile of pregnant women who are at risk for DV in Kingston, Jamaica.Method:A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in 2014. A total of 185 randomly selected pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic completed a self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS. The study was approved by our local ethical boards and all ethical considerations were adhered to.Results:The study identified a prevalence rate of 41% (n= 75/182) which includes all types of DV during pregnancy. Those at risk were 23–29 years old, single (66.6%), employed (44%), had primary education (66.6%), and had unplanned pregnancies (65%). The majority of respondents (98%) were willing to disclose DV, but the clinic does not provide them the opportunity. Only 11% (8/75) reported that they sought professional help.Conclusion:This study adds to the body of knowledge on the prevalence of DV and notes that it is high among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic. The findings can guide the development of a DV screening protocol to identify and treat pregnant women and train health practitioners in Jamaica.

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e017745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munas M Muzrif ◽  
Dinusha Perera ◽  
Kumudu Wijewardena ◽  
Berit Schei ◽  
Katarina Swahnberg

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to assess the regional differences in domestic violence among pregnant women in the capital district and in the tea plantation sector of Sri Lanka, to explore potential contributory factors and to assess whether healthcare workers addressed domestic violence and disclosure among survivors.DesignA cross-sectional study was carried out using interviewer-administered Abuse Assessment Screen.SettingFifty-seven antenatal clinic centres in the capital district and 30 in the tea plantation sector.ParticipantsPregnant women between 6 and 40 weeks of gestational age. In the capital district, 1375 women were recruited from antenatal clinic centres in the urban (n=25) and in the rural areas (n=32), and 800 women from 30 centres in the tea plantation sector. The response rate in the capital district was 95.6% and 96.7% in the tea plantation sector.ResultsAmong the total sample of pregnant women (n=2088), the prevalence of ‘ever abused’ was 38.6%, and the prevalence of ‘currently abused’ was 15.9%. ‘Ever abused’ (31.5% vs 50.8%) and ‘currently abused’ (10% vs 25.8%) were significantly higher (P<0.001) among the women living in the tea plantation sector. ‘Ever abused’ was associated with living in the tea plantation sector, being employed, living far from gender-based violence care centre and of Muslim ethnicity, after adjusting for age, education and family income. Only 38.8% of all participants had been asked by healthcare workers about abuse. Living in the tea plantation sector and lower level of education were associated with not being asked. Among those who reported ‘ever abused’, only 8.7% had disclosed the experience to a healthcare worker.ConclusionDomestic violence was prevalent and highest among women in the tea plantation sector compared with the capital district. The capacity of healthcare workers in addressing domestic violence should be increased.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saran Tenzin Tamang ◽  
Thinley Dorji ◽  
Sonam Yoezer ◽  
Thinley Phuntsho ◽  
Phurb Dorji

Abstract Background The third Sustainable Development Goal for 2030 development agenda aims to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. Pregnant women’s understanding of danger signs is an important factor in seeking timely care during emergencies. We assessed knowledge of obstetric danger signs using both recall and understanding of appropriate action required during obstetric emergencies. Methods This was a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Bhutan’s largest hospital in Thimphu. Recall was assessed against seven obstetric danger signs outlined in the Mother and Child Health Handbook (7 points). Understanding of danger signs was tested using 13 multiple choice questions (13 points). Knowledge was scored out of 20 points and reported as ‘good’ (≥80%), ‘satisfactory’ (60–79%) and ‘poor’ (< 60%). Correlation between participant characteristics and knowledge score as well as number of danger signs recalled was tested using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Association between knowledge score and participant characteristics was tested using t-tests (and Kruskal-Wallis test) for numeric variables. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the level of knowledge ('good’ versus ‘satisfactory’ and ‘poor’ combined) were assessed with odds ratios using a log-binomial regression model. All results with p < 0.05 were considered significant. Results Four hundred and twenty-two women responded to the survey (response rate = 96.0%). Mean (±SD) knowledge score was 12 (±2.5). Twenty women (4.7%) had ‘good’ knowledge, 245 (58.1%) had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge and 157 (37.2%) had ‘poor’ knowledge. The median number of danger signs recalled was 2 (IQR 1, 3) while 68 women (20.3%) could not recall any danger signs. Most women were knowledgeable about pre-labour rupture of membranes (96.0%) while very few women were knowledgeable about spotting during pregnancy (19.9%). Both knowledge score and number of danger signs recalled had significant correlation with the period of gestation. Women with previous surgery on the reproductive tract had higher odds of having ‘good’ level of knowledge. Conclusions Most pregnant women had ‘satisfactory’ knowledge score with poor explicit recall of danger signs. However, women recognized obstetric emergencies and identified the appropriate action warranted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-15
Author(s):  
Tandin Tshomo ◽  
Karma Tenzin ◽  
Jamphel Tshering

Aims: To assess the awareness and perception of labour epidural analgesia among pregnant women visiting the antenatal clinic. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study. Study participants included pregnant women visiting the antenatal clinic during 2nd and 3 rd trimester conducted from 21 st September 2018 till 20 th September 2019. Data were collected by using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Ethics approval was granted by the research Ethics Board of health, Bhutan. Results: Total 450 parturients participated in this study; 61.4% of the participants knew that labour epidural services were available and 37.5% got information through media. A total of 57.3% of respondents had severe fear about labour pain; 62.4% had severe fear about delivery complication; 85.2% thought that epidural labour analgesia was a good method of pain relief; and 67% were willing to accept it for their current pregnancy. However, 86.6% would recommend epidural labour analgesia as an option of pain relief to other pregnant women. Conclusion: Awareness about the availability of labour epidural analgesia services needs to be improved, as a majority of the parturient was keen to avail epidural analgesia after the information about its availability was provided.


2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
Hiba Raad Saeed ◽  
Besmah Mohamad Ali ◽  
Jawad K. AL-Diwan

Background: Domestic violence against women is a public health problem that affects more than one third of all women globally. It includes any physical, sexual or emotional abuse imposed upon women within family relationships. Several studies in Iraq demonstrated that domestic violence has been increasing over the past two decades. Objective: Determine the prevalence of domestic violence against pregnant women and factors associated with it. Patients and methods: A total of 345 pregnant women were included in a cross- sectional study conducted during the period from July - November 2018. They were selected through multistage random sampling from four Primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad. An Abuse Assessment Screen was used, with a known validity and reliability. Result: The overall prevalence of domestic violence was 37.1%. It was 9.0% during pregnancy. There were significant associations between domestic violence during pregnancy and the duration of marriage, husband’s age at marriage, husband’s consumption of alcohol and  the number of children. Conclusion: Pregnancy acts as a protective factor against domestic violence


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Udho ◽  
Joyce Nankumbi ◽  
Mariam Namutebi ◽  
Grace Ndeezi ◽  
Joshua Epuitai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Iron deficiency is a leading cause of anemia among pregnant women in Uganda. However, due to the high cost of biochemical tests required to determine iron deficiency, the prevalence and factors associated with iron deficiency remain largely unstudied in our setting. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the prevalence of iron deficiency and its associated factors among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic, Lira District-Uganda.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at Lira Regional Referral Hospital. Maternal serum ferritin was used as a measure of iron deficiency and was determined using a Cobas 6000 Automated Analyzer. Iron deficiency was based on serum ferritin of <30 μg/L. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the characteristics of the study participants. Binary and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify the associated factors.Results The prevalence of iron deficiency was 45%. Non-adherence to iron supplements (AOR: 2.05 95% CI: 1.02-4.12) & third trimester pregnancy (AOR: 1.88 95% CI: 1.20-2.94) were significantly associated with iron deficiency during pregnancy.Conclusion Nearly 5 in 10 of the participants had iron deficiency. Iron deficiency during pregnancy was associated with non-adherence to iron supplements and being in the third trimester of pregnancy. Midwives should encourage pregnant women to adhere to iron supplements during pregnancy especially pregnant women who are in the third trimester.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohan Chandra Regmi ◽  
Laxmi Subedi ◽  
Ramesh Shrestha ◽  
Baburam Dixit ◽  
Neha Shrestha

Aims: To find out the prevalence of domestic violence in pregnant women attending Antenatal clinics (ANC) of B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, a tertiary centre in eastern Nepal.Methods: It was a hospital based cross-sectional study done at antenatal clinics of BPKIHS from 14th March 2015 to 30th August 2015. The total number of recruited antenatal patients was 470. Data were collected by face to face interview via pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.Results: The prevalence of domestic violence among pregnant women was 53.2% of which prevalence of physical domestic violence was 9.6%. The most common person inflicting the domestic violence was husband (23.6%). Emotional abuse was the most common form of domestic violence experienced by the pregnant women (26.8%) and threatening for remarriage was most common emotional violence faced (43.2%). As the age of the pregnant women increases, they tend to have more domestic violence.Conclusions: The prevalence of Domestic Violence among pregnant women seemed alarmingly high in our society. Awareness to the family members and strengthening the women empowerment at community level might play a major role for reducing such violence. Pregnancy-related violence is a serious public health issue.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
Taimi Nauiseb ◽  
Susie-Ubomba Jaswa

This study focuses on the methodology utilized in the study of the socio-economic determinants of adolescent pregnancy in Katutura, Windhoek: Namibia. The following aspects were explained, processed and methods use to conduct the study, the framework of the study, the procedures in selecting the participants and setting of the interviews. The aim of this study was to collect detailed information to explore the socio-economic determinants of adolescent pregnancy in Katutura, Windhoek: Namibia.The clinical study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of three months duration. Semi-structured interviews methods were utilized to collect the data. A random sampling method was use to select the participant e.g. every second pregnant adolescent was interviewed.The interviews were done on specific days, Mondays and Thursdays, which were the follow-up days for antenatal clinic. Study participants were selected from a population of pregnant women attending the Katutura antenatal clinic. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were adhered in the selection process. Study population was all pregnant women attending the Katutura antenatal clinic during the time of the study. The study sample of 150 pregnant adolescent were accepted into the study. Data analysis; mixed methods analysis was used to interpret the data.Based on some the findings of the study 89% of the pregnant adolescent falls between the ages 17-21 who visited the ante -natal clinic. The majority interviewed represents 65% of the highest-grade completed grade 8-10. The mean age of the first intercourse is 16.5 years.


Scientifica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Ahenkorah ◽  
Kwabena Nsiah ◽  
Peter Baffoe

The study determined the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of pregnant women which contribute to the risk of developing anaemia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 pregnant women attending their first antenatal visit at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Antenatal Clinic. Anaemia was significantly associated (p<0.05) with younger maternal age, parity, gravidity, trimester of pregnancy, and source of drinking water. Multivariate logistic regression identified the following factors with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI): unemployment (aOR = 4.76 (CI: 2.26–11.33);p<0.0001), rural dwelling (aOR = 3.10 (CI: 2.16–4.91);p=0.0071), primigravida (aOR = 2.13 (CI: 1.34–3.18);p=0.0201), nulliparity (aOR = 1.92 (CI: 1.23–2.86);p=0.0231), first antenatal visit at second trimester (aOR = 1.71 (CI: 1.33–3.12);p=0.0149) and first antenatal visit at third trimester (aOR = 2.73 (CI: 1.24–4.35);p=0.0017), drinking from well and boreholes (aOR = 2.78 (CI: 2.27–5.21);p<0.0001), and the presence of domestic livestock (aOR = 2.15 (CI: 1.33–3.68);p=0.0019). This study has shown the various sociodemographic and obstetric factors which significantly contribute to anaemia in pregnancy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Stephen, MSc ◽  
Chiwoneso Gwyneth Elizabeth Muchaneta-Kubara, PhD ◽  
Marshall Wesley Munjoma, PhD ◽  
Gibson Mandozana, PhD

Background: Cervical chlamydia infection poses high risk of pregnancy complications and neonatal infection. Reference methods for the detection of chlamydia infection are not available for routine use in developing countries. Point-of-care (POC) tests can bridge this gap. This study evaluated Cortez Onestep Chlamydia RapicardTM insta test for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnant women at Mbare Polyclinic and determined the prevalence of C. trachomatis.Methods: This was a cross sectional study in 242 pregnant women aged ≥18 years attending their first ANC visit at Mbare polyclinic in Harare, Zimbabwe. Data collection form was used to obtain demographic and predisposing factors to Chlamydia infection and two endocervical swabs were collected from each patient. One specimen was examined by the POC test at the clinic and the other by SDA method in the laboratory.Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the rapid kit were 71.4%, 99.6%, 90.9% and 98.3% respectively. Prevalence of C. trachomitis was 5.8% by SDA method.Conclusion and Global Health Implications: The kit’s sensitivity (71.4%) and specificity (99.6%) implies that the rapid test is an important test which needs further evaluations. The prevalence of C. trichomitis of 5.8% is comparable to studies done elsewhere in Africa.Key words: Chlamydia trachomatis • Antenatal Clinic • Point of Care Tests • Rapid Test • Cortez One Step Chlamydia TestCopyright © 2017 Stephen et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-244
Author(s):  
Abah MG ◽  
Umoh AV

Background: Aversion towards Caesarean section and its outright rejection by parturient have been widely reported in Nigeria. Objective: This study was conducted with the objective of assessing the perception and attitude towards Caesarean section by pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a Niger Delta tertiary facility. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study involving 500 women interviewed using selfadministered semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaires with open and close ended questions. Their socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, perception and attitude towards Caesarean section were inquired Results: The mean age of the women was 29.1years


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