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IMPACT OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV) ON PREGNANCY OUTCOMES IN MOYO GENERAL HOSPITAL, MOYO DISTRICT

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) refers to behaviour by either a current or former intimate partner that results into physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm, including acts of physical aggression, verbal abuse, sexual coercion, reproductive coercion, and other controlling behaviours. IPV remains a significant global public health issue and is a direct violation of the women’s human rights and exists in all settings and among all religious, cultural or socioeconomic groups. The objective of the research study was to assess the effect of IPV on maternal, foetal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancy and roles of health workers in regards to IPV in Moyo General Hospital. A prospective cross-sectional design which used structured questionnaire and review of previous record was used for collecting data for this study. The study sample size consisted of 80 women attending antennal clinic who delivered within the period of study and those attending postnatal services in Moyo General Hospital. Also, a total 20 health care service providers consented to part take in the study. Data was coded using excel, then manually analysed and entered into a computer-based system. The analyzed data was presented in form of tables, bar graphs and pie charts. Results showed that 66 (83%) had experienced IPV during pregnancy out of the total number of 80 respondents. The most common forms of partner abuse experienced included psychological /emotional abuse (54.5%) and physical abuse (28.9% which posed the risk of premature rupture of fetal membranes (28.8%) and preterm labor (16.7%) during pregnancy with consequence of caesarian section (25.5%). The most common complications after delivery were lactation problem (56.1%) and puerperal pyrexia (16.6%). The major fetal and neonatal risks of IPV were premature delivery (34.8%), low birth weight (22.7%) and prenatal death (10.1%). This study highlighted how IPV influences pregnancy outcome and found that IPV had devastating effects on maternal, foetal and neonatal outcomes and also related the roles of health care service providers in regards to IPV. The study result concluded that IPV during pregnancy caused adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Based on the findings, it was recommended that women should be empowered educationally and financially, and done routine screening for violence and follow up of victims of violence by health care service providers.

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Author: idro wilson
Contributed by: asbat digital library
Institution: kabale university
Level: university
Sublevel: under-graduate
Type: dissertations