Predictors of intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at state specialist hospital Ikere-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

The study determined the socio-demographic predictors of reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant women  attending  ante-natal clinic in State Specialist Hospital Ikere-Ekiti. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used and a pretested questionnaire was  administered to 390 pregnant women who were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive  and inferential statistics. The prevalence rate IPV was 38.8 %, sexual violence (35.6%), followed by physical (35.1%), verbal  (33.8%) and psychological (33.6%) was reported. The study found a significant relationship (p<0.05) between socio-demographic  characteristics and IPV. The prevalence of IPV among the study participants was high, age of partner, years in relationship, age at  marriage, educational status, occupational status, income and parity were predictors of IPV. Therefore, it is highly imperative for nurse- midwives to have a high index of suspicion and screen for intimate partner violence, especially physical and sexual violence during pre- natal care.