Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and other determinant factors of preterm birth in Amhara region, Ethiopia
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Date
2018-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is a public health problem worldwide. However, the problem is under reported and underestimated in developing nations including Ethiopia. Moreover, limited research to date has been done to address the relationship between intimate partner violence during pregnancy and preterm births in developing nations including Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the association between intimate partner violence during pregnancy and preterm births.
Methods: Hospital based unmatched case control study design was employed on a sample of 138 cases and 276 controls from 1st February 2018 to 1st April 2018 in Amhara region, Ethiopia. The cases and controls were proportionally allocated in each hospitals based on the last one-year case flows. The outcome variable was measured by using confirmed Physician Diagnosis of prematurity. Standardized, structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected Data was entered using Epi-data 3.1 and was exported into SPSS version 20.0 statistical software for analysis. Independent variables with p-value less than 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression model with backward LR method. Statistical significance level was declared at p-value less than 0.05.
Results: the overall proportion of any Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) exposure during pregnancy was found higher among case groups than control groups (44.8% and 25% respectively). After adjustment: women experienced any IPV during pregnancy had 2.5 times higher odds of Preterm birth compared to those never experienced any IPV [ AOR=2.85: 95%CI 1.42-6.22]. Moreover, the likelihood ratio of PTB among women experienced emotional IPV was 6 times higher compared to those didn’t experienced [AOR=3.05: 95%CI 1.35-6.91]. Other determinant factors such as; residence, maternal age, education level, ante natal care, previous adverse birth outcomes and medical problems during pregnancy were significantly associated with PTB.
Conclusion: The study revealed significant association between Intimate Partner Violence during pregnancy and preterm birth. Therefore, programs and strategies should be developed to prevent women violence during pregnancy at regional, zonal and district levels. Health care providers should have integrated IPV screening at routine ante natal care delivery settings. Moreover, longitudinal and qualitative studies are recommended to explore more evidence.
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Intimate partner violence, pregnancy, preterm birth, Amhara region, Ethiopia