Browsing by Author "Seifu, Abiy (MPH/RH)"

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    The association of intimate partner violence during pregnancy with preterm birth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    (Addis Abeba University, 2019-11) Alamene, Genet Melak; Dr .Gebremariam, Mulugeta Betre (MD, MPH); Seifu, Abiy (MPH/RH)
    Background: Preterm birth is a significant and growing public health problem leading to increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. Intimate partner violence during pregnancy is one of the factors that affect not only women’s health but also the health of the newborn. However, the association between intimate partner violence during pregnancy and preterm birth was not adequately studied in Ethiopia. Objective: To assess the association between intimate partner violence during pregnancy and preterm birth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based age-matched case-control study was conducted among 420 women [140 cases (women who had preterm births) and 280 controls (women who had term births)] in six public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data was collected using a structured, intervieweradministered questionnaire. A woman who reported the experience of at least one act of violent act, either physical or sexual or emotional or controlling behaviours by an intimate partner during the index pregnancy period was considered exposed to intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe the characteristics of study participants. Additionally, the association between intimate partner violence during pregnancy and preterm birth was analyzed using multivariable conditional logistics regression model. Statistical significance was declared at P<0.05. The analysis was performed using Stata 14.0. Results: The odds of preterm birth was four times higher among women who experienced physical violence (AOR: 3.98, 95% CI: 1.03, 15.32), three times higher among women who experienced emotional violence (AOR: 3.64, 95% CI: 1.01, 13.06) and four times higher among women who reported controlling behaviors of their husbands/partners (AOR: 4.32, 95% CI: 1.10, 16.89) during their pregnancy. Conclusion and recommendation: The study identified that women who experienced physical and emotional violence and whose husbands/partners demonstrated controlling behavior during pregnancy have a higher risk of preterm birth. To reduce the risk of preterm birth, prevention of physical and emotional violence during pregnancy and improving women’s autonomy should be integrated into perinatal care interventions.