The association between intimate partner violence, psychiatric morbidity amongst pregnant women and partner alcohol use in southern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is common, although prevalence and correlates amongst pregnant women in developing countries are poorly researched.

AIM: To identify the magnitude of IPV, and its relationship with psychiatric morbidity and partner alcohol use.

SETTING

This study was conducted among women receiving routine ante-natal care at a secondary level healthcare facility in southern Nigeria.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted by recruiting pregnant women (n = 395) attending the Ante-Natal Clinic of the Central Hospital, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria, between August 2015 and February 2016 and undertaking face-to-face interviews utilising a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Composite Abuse Scale and the 20-item Self-reporting Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Past 12-month prevalence of IPV was 24.8%, with emotional abuse being the commonest type (89.8%). Forty-six participants (11.6%) screened positive for probable psychiatric morbidity. Predictors of IPV included partner alcohol use in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.67; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-6.16; p 0.02), having a psychiatric morbidity (aOR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.27-5.04; p 0.01), being single (aOR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.25-3.58; p 0.01) and multiparous (aOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.43-4.38; p 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Intimate partner violence was common amongst pregnant women in Nigeria. Identified modifiable risk factors can be targets for screening and intervention for women in these settings.