Domestic violence as a risk factor for infant and child mortality: A community-based case–control study from southern India.

ABSTRACT

Background. Violence against women may have an impact on infant and child mortality. We aimed to determine whether domestic violence is a risk factor for infant and child death. Methods. Eighty infant and child deaths (under 5 years of age) were identified from a central register of a comprehensive community health programme in rural southern India; controls were matched for age, gender and street of residence. Results. Domestic violence during the lifetime (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.39–4.99), which was severe (OR 4.00, 95% CI 2.02–7.94) and during pregnancy (OR 5.69, 95% CI 2.03–15. 93) and father’s smoking status (OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.92–7.55) were significantly related to infant and child death while immunization being completed for age (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01–0.19) and having at least one boy child in the family (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.14–0.59) were protective. These variables remained statistically significantly associated with outcome after adjusting for other determinants using conditional logistic regression. Conclusion. There is evidence for an association between domestic violence in mothers, and infant and child death.