-
Domestic Violence And Its Effect On Pregnant Women
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 3]
Page 1 of 3
-
-
-
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Domestic
violence against women is one of the most pervasive abuses of human
rights in the world, that lie in the spheres of those who are interested
in the study of women's health and her rights. Violence against women
is the barrier of women's empowerment and hinders the equal
participation in society. However, they often go unnoticed and
undocumented and therefore unresolved. Violence during pregnancy may
threaten not only a woman well-being but that of her unborn child. Among
women who had ever been pregnant six percent were hit, slapped, kicked
or subjected to some other form of physical violence (Bailey, 2012).
Moreover
domestic violence known as spousal abuse or intimate partner violence
(IPV), which is defined as “behavior within an intimate relationship
that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm, including acts of
physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and
controlling behaviors'†( Audi, 2012). In addition, the World Health
Organization (WHO) showed that, the prevalence of physical or sexual, or
both type of violence varied from fifteen percent to seventy one
percent in different countries. Physical injury, psychological problems
and complications of pregnancy are some of the health consequences that
result from violence inflicted on pregnant women by their intimate male
partners (WHO, 2011). Urquia et al., 2011, was reported that
un-attention has been given to domestic violence during pregnancy as
global public health problem due to its adverse health consequences. An
understanding of the effect of a partner's violence against a pregnant
woman could have important reproductive health implications with early
identification. It could also help in shaping future intervention
programs. Pregnancy provides an opportunity to screen for domestic
violence since pregnant women make routine antenatal visits. On the
other hand, violence against women perpetrated by husbands occur in
every society, but its prevalence and tolerance vary from country to
country. Studies demonstrate that violence during pregnancy is more
common in developing countries than developed countries and the
consequence of domestic violence during pregnancy ranges from financial
hardships and decreased intimacy to high rates of maternal and neonatal
morbidity and mortality (Devries et al., 2010). Violence during
pregnancy had a higher rates of preterm labor and intrauterine growth
retardation than women without a history of violence, also domestic
violence during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes
such as low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, bleeding during
pregnancy, and higher neonatal deaths (Berenson et al., 2010) Intimate
partner violence during pregnancy is a serious public health issue which
threatens fetal and maternal health, so the effects of intimate partner
violence on women's health are increasing attention from local and
international policy makers, and from the healthcare community, this is
due to an increased awareness of the prevalence of violence. Also the
government has recognized the need to increase the awareness,
understanding, and recognition of domestic violence to encourage victims
to come forward (Shah, 2010). Researches has shown that nurses feel
inadequately prepared to deal with victims of domestic violence and that
a gap in practice and knowledge experience requires support and
education, so antenatal care is very important for early detection of
intimate partner violence, and is providing a suitable setting for
addressing issues of violence. Asking questions may assist women to
disclose their experiences of violence to health professionals and
enable access to additional support and care, including community, legal
and police support services (Flach et al., 2011).
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 3]
Page 1 of 3
-
-
ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]Violence against women perpetrated by husbands occurs in every society, but its prevalence and tolerance vary from country to country. Studies demonstrate that violence during pregnancy is more common in developing countries than developed countries. This study was carried out using quantitative analysis of data gathered from respondents in other to answer the research questions after which recommendations were made. ... Continue reading---
