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Afra Rehman¹, Razia Tariq Qureshi¹ and Amber Abbasi²

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the factors affecting physical violence in pregnancy.

Study Design: Observational / descriptive / cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Obs. and Gynae Department of People University of Medical and Health Science, Nawabshah Sindh from July 2013 to June 2014.

Materials and Methods: All women who attended gynae OPD of Peoples university hospital Nawabshah, and had pregnancy ever, were included in the study. Predesigned questionnaire was made and after taking verbal informed consent. Women were interviewed separately. Questions were asked about their relationship with their husbands and family members and physical abuse during pregnancy etc.

Results: Total 190 women were enrolled in this study. Out of these, 161(84.7%) women had physical violence during pregnancy while 29 (15.3%) women had no abuse. Factors were significantly related with physical abuse during pregnancy. Women belonging to poor class were more involved in ph sical violence as compared to upper class (P= 0.000). Illiterate husbands were more involved in physical abuse than graduates, but results were not significant statistically (P= 0.12).

Conclusion: Poor socioeconomic condition, nuclear family structure and addicted husbands were more involved in physical violence during pregnancy.

Key Words: Factors, physical violence, pregnancy

Citation of article: Rehman A, Qureshi RT, Abbasi A. Factors Affecting Physical Violence in Pregnancy. Med Forum 2016;27(4):8-11.