Prevalence, Frequency, and Affecting Factors of Intimate Partner Violence Against Pregnant Women in Osun State, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, frequency, and associated factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in pregnant women in Osun State, Nigeria. The study used a cross-sectional design to survey 309 pregnant women who are attending outpatient services. The questionnaires consisted of two sections: demographic questions and the Severity of Violence against Women Scale. Of the total women, 46.86% were subjected to acts of violence at least several times or more. We found that exposure to severe violence (18.25%) and sexual violence (12.9%) is more frequent among violent acts. In this study, it was found that alcohol consumption of both pregnant women and their partners had affected the level of IPV. A family history of violence in both the pregnant women and their partners was strongly aligned with the current existence of violence and further demonstrated that prior violence in family settings is an integral cause of continued prevalent violence. The pregnant women who were victims of domestic violence were inclined to seeking support from family members and friends without informing the authorities or other agencies whose purposes are to combat violence. Screening all pregnancies at various times is important because some women do not disclose abuse. Screening for IPV during obstetric care should occur at the first prenatal visit, at least once per trimester, and at the postpartum checkup.