Domestic abuse--an antenatal survey at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban.

OBJECTIVES

To determine exposure to domestic violence by a partner or spouse among pregnant women attending a public sector hospital in Durban, South Africa.

DESIGN

Six hundred and four randomly chosen women from a low-income community were interviewed over a 6-month period using a standardised questionnaire.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight per cent had experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives. Physical abuse (52%) was the most common, and 35% had been abused during the current pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Domestic violence is common in pregnancy among women attending a public sector hospital.