Intimate partner violence and sexual coercion among pregnant women in India: relationship with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent in most parts of the world. It is also prevalent during pregnancy.

METHODS

This study assessed the prevalence of IPV during pregnancy and evaluated its relationship with mental health outcomes, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pregnant women (n=203) attending an antenatal clinic in a public hospital in Bangalore were assessed for presence of IPV as well as depressive, somatic, PTSD symptoms and life satisfaction.

RESULTS

Self-reported physical violence in the last year was reported by 14% of women, psychological abuse by 15%, and sexual coercion by 9%. One-half of these women reported ongoing abuse during pregnancy. Depression, somatic, and PTSD symptoms were higher in those with a history of abuse or sexual coercion, and life satisfaction was poorer in those with any form of violence. Among those reporting a history of sexual coercion, severity of violence was related to increased psychiatric morbidity. Alcohol abuse in the spouse was a predictor of the presence and severity of abuse.

LIMITATIONS: The study was conducted in a single clinic in southern India which is a large country with very diversified populations.

CONCLUSION

The experience of intimate partner violence and its mental health consequences are quite prevalent in India which is a culture where gender disparities are normative and pregnancy is a particularly vulnerable period.