Prevalence and Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence in Pregnancy at the Kenyatta National Hospital: a Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is defined as physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression by a current or former intimate partner. It can be divided into physical, sexual, and emotional violence and controlling behaviours. It is a grave but avoidable public health concern with deleterious health and human rights implications. In pregnancy it not only jeopardises the life and health of the mother but also the survival and wellbeing of the unborn baby. Intimate Partner Violence is on the rise globally, though there is not enough local data to inform current prevalence and trends with reported prevalence of 15.23% in Africa. This study assessed the prevalence, socio-demographic, relationship and medical characteristics associated with Intimate Partner Violence among pregnant ladies receiving services at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The obtained information will add to the insufficient information on the burden of IPV during pregnancy in Kenya and show trends on associated factors that should help in developing screening protocols and policy formulation. Broad Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and factors associated with Intimate Partner Violence among pregnant women receiving services at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Methodology: This study is a facility based, comparative cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and factors associated with Intimate Partner Violence among pregnant women receiving services at the Kenyatta National Hospital. 599 (186 exposed to IPV and 413 not exposed to IPV) pregnant women receiving care at KNH were recruited into the study and data collected using a structured survey questionnaire. The questionnaire had socio-demographic variables, both for the patient and the partner and the patient’s medical and obstetric information. Data was collected by the researcher with the aid of trained research assistants and be entered in an excel sheet before transcription to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 software for cleaning and analysis. Permission was sought from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (University of Nairobi) and KNH/UON Ethics Research Committee. Results: The prevalence of IPV among pregnant women receiving care at KNH was 31.1%. Of the women reporting IPV in the current pregnancy 36% experienced psychological violence, 15% physical violence and 12% sexual violence. 8% experienced all forms of violence, 18% experiencing both physical and psychological violence while 11% experienced both sexual and psychological violence. Witnessing violence during childhood, partner’s 20 history of alcohol use, partner’s income and partner’s level of education were found to be significantly associated with IPV. Conclusions: IPV affects a significant number of patients under the care of the obstetrician and there is need for regular screening and appropriate linkage of identified victims. Key words: Intimate Partner Violence, Antenatal clinic, Physical Violence,