Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Intimate Partner Violence, Forced First Sex And Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes In A Sample Of Zimbabwean Women Accessing Maternal And Child Health Care, Simukai Shamu, Stephen Munjanja, Christina Zarowsky, Patience Shamu, Marleen Temmerman, Naeemah Abrahams

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a serious problem with a wide range of health consequences including poor maternal and newborn health outcomes. We assessed the relationship between IPV, forced first sex (FFS) and maternal and newborn health outcomes.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted with 2042 women aged 15–49 years attending postnatal care at six clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe, 2011. Women were interviewed on IPV while maternal and newborn health data were abstracted from clinic records. We conducted logistic regression models to assess the relationship between forced first sex (FFS), IPV (lifetime, in the last 12 months and …

The Impact Of A Referral Card-Based Intervention On Intimate Partner Violence, Psychosocial Health, Help-Seeking And Safety Behaviour During Pregnancy And Postpartum: A Randomized Controlled Trial, An-Sofie Van Parys, Ellen Deschepper, Kristien Roelens, Marleen Temmerman, Hans Verstraelen

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: We aimed to investigate the impact of a referral-based intervention in a prospective cohort of women disclosing intimate partner violence (IPV) on the prevalence of violence, and associated outcomes psychosocial health, help-seeking and safety behaviour during and after pregnancy.

Methods: Women seeking antenatal care in eleven Belgian hospitals were consecutively invited from June 2010 to October 2012, to participate in a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) and handed a questionnaire. Participants willing to be interviewed and reporting IPV victimisation were randomised. In the Intervention Group (IG) participants received a referral card with contact details of services providing assistance and …

Intimate Partner Violence And Psychosocial Health, A Cross-Sectional Study In A Pregnant Population, An-Sofie Van Parys, Ellen Descheppe, Kristien Michielsen, Anna Galle, Kristien Roelens, Marleen Temmerman, Hans Verstraelen

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: The objective of this paper is to explore whether IPV 12 months before and/or during pregnancy is associated with poor psychosocial health.

Methods: From June 2010 to October 2012, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 antenatal care clinics in Belgium. Consenting pregnant women were asked to complete a questionnaire on socio-demographics, psychosocial health and violence in a separate room. Overall, 2586 women were invited to participate and we were able to use data from 1894 women (73.2 %) for analysis. Ethical clearance was obtained in all participating hospitals.

Results: We found a significant correlation between IPV and poor …

Intimate Partner Violence After Disclosure Of Hiv Test Results Among Pregnant Women In Harare, Zimbabwe, Simukai Shamu, Christina Zarowsky, Tamara Shefer, Marleen Temmerman, Naeemah Abrahams

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: HIV status disclosure is a central strategy in HIV prevention and treatment but in high prevalence settings women test disproportionately and most often during pregnancy. This study reports intimate partner violence (IPV) following disclosure of HIV test results by pregnant women.

Methods: In this cross sectional study we interviewed 1951 postnatal women who tested positive and negative for HIV about IPV experiences following HIV test disclosure, using an adapted WHO questionnaire. Multivariate regression models assessed factors associated with IPV after disclosure and controlled for factors such as previous IPV and other known behavioural factors associated with IPV.

Results: Over …

Prevalence And Evolution Of Intimate Partner Violence Before And During Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study, An-Sofie Van Parys, Ellen Deschepper, Kristien Michielsen, Marleen Temmerman, Hans Verstraelen

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) before and during pregnancy is associated with a broad range of adverse health outcomes. Describing the extent and the evolution of IPV is a crucial step in developing interventions to reduce the health impact of IPV. The objectives are to study the prevalence of psychological abuse, as well as physical & sexual violence, and to provide insight into the evolution of IPV 12 months before and during pregnancy.

Methods: Between June 2010 and October 2012, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 antenatal care clinics in Belgium. Consenting pregnant women were asked to complete a …