ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of domestic violence before and during pregnancy, and its impact on obstetrical and perinatal outcomes, as well as to identify the main variables associated to domestic violence during pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From August to September 2004, 288 consecutive women in the puerperium period were screened for a cross-sectional study in the Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea Gonz6lez. The Abuse Assessment Screen and the IPPF screening instrument were used to measure emotional and physical abuse during pregnancy. Outcome data included miscarriage, cesarean delivery, gestational age, birth weight and Apgar score. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to measure the associations between maternal characteristics, perinatal outcome and violence. RESULTS: The prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy was 39.24%. Emotional abuse was the most prevalent type before and during pregnancy (94.71 and 96.46%, respectively) whereas the frequency of physical and sexual decreased during pregnancy. Domestic violence 12 months before pregnancy increased risk of low birth weight (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.01-2.81), and miscarriage (OR: 2.09; 95% CI 1.14-3.83). The exposure to domestic violence anytime before pregnancy (OR: 3.13; 95% CI 1.48-6.63) and 12 months before pregnancy (OR: 12.79; 95% CI 6.38-25.6) increased risk of domestic violence during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Violence before and during pregnancy is common and is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. There is a critical need to include a routine screening in the obstetric and gynecologic services and to provide medical and social services.
