Intimate partner violence among pregnant women in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue globally. Intimate partner violence predominantly constitutes violence against women, and when it occurs during pregnancy, it can have severe consequences for both the mother and the baby.
Method: A quantitative descriptive study design was used to collect data from a sample of 277 participants using a survey questionnaire. The survey was administered during participants’ first antenatal visit at Rethabile Health Centre, in Limpopo, South Africa.
Results: Twenty-two of the 277 participants (7.94%) indicated that they experienced IPV during their lifetime, 10 participants (3.6%) were abused during the past year, and four (1.4%) were abused during their current pregnancy. There were statistically significant associations between IPV and comorbidities such as hypertension (HPT) and diabetes. Low birth weight during the previous pregnancy and unintended pregnancies were also significantly more prevalent in women who experienced IPV.
Conclusion: Intimate partner violence during pregnancy is prevalent globally, affecting approximately 9.2% of pregnant women. In our study, 7.9% of the participants reported that they experienced IPV in their lifetime. A culturally and legally appropriate assessment tool must be developed for SA, including an expanded classification of marital status for the tool and research questionnaires where marital status is of importance as in IPV.
Contribution: Although our study indicated a lower-than-expected rate of IPV during pregnancy, statistically significant associations were found between IPV and comorbidities such as HPT and diabetes, as well as low birth weight during the previous pregnancy and unintended pregnancies, which warrant further research.