Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy in Yenagoa, Southern Nigeria

ABSTRACT
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrated against women during pregnancy is quite
common, and it could lead to psychological or emotional trauma, and physical injury to both mother
and fetus.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of IPV perpetrated against women during
pregnancy in Yenagoa.
Methodology and subjects: This is a cross-sectional study of 640 booked parturient who received
antenatal care at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) in Yenagoa. The
participants were interviewed using a well structured interviewer administered questionnaire.
Information obtained were patients bio-data, and issues related to IPV, such as: physical or
emotional violence, sexual abuse, verbal violence, social violence, financial deprivation, and
complications of IPV.
Results: The prevalence of IPV during pregnancy was 65.6%, and the chances of having IPV was
twice higher during pregnancy compared to non pregnant women, odd ratio = 2.96[2.36 – 3.71], p =
0.001 The most perpetrated act was social violence (44.1%), especially infidelity (20.6%). Next was
financial deprivation (40.5%), predominated by taking control of the wife's financial resources (20.0
%). Verbal violence was next (38.8%), especially name calling (24.1%). Physical violence was
22.5%, and slapping (12.5%) was the most common form of physical violence; only a handful of the

women (2.5%) were attacked with weapons. The least perpetrated act was sexually abuse (13.1%),

mostly sexual deprivation as punishment (7.3%).

The complication rate from IPV was 13.5% (predominantly mild physical injuries), and only 1.2%

reported IPV to police.

Conclusion:

IPV during pregnancy is quite common in Yenagoa, and a great majority of the women suffer in

silence, even in the face of complications. Public enlightenment and advocacy by women right

groups and activists are recommended.

KEY WORDS: Intimate partner violence, pregnancy, Yenagoa, Southern Nigeria