Prevalence and patterns of intimate partner violence among antenatal clinic attendees at Federal Medical Center, Abuja

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been a source of increasing concern to the government of nations as well as their citizens despite measures taken to reduce it. This is supported by recent data published by the World Health Organization and other development partners. In health care facilities, intimate partner violence in pregnancy has not been screened routinely. Community‑based findings have been the source of most data informing policies for decisions. Objectives: These were to determine the prevalence and patterns of IPV among antenatal clinic attendees at the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Abuja. Materials and Methods: Following ethical clearance, a health facility‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted at the FMC, Abuja to determine the prevalence and correlates of IPV during pregnancy among attendees of antenatal clinics. It was conducted between 26^th June and 17 ^th September 2021. A total of 450 questionnaires were administered among consecutive consenting clients and 407 were returned filled giving a non‑response rate of 9.6%. The questionnaire collected data on respondents’ sociodemographics; experience of and types of IPV; and health problems arising from IPV. Results were presented in tables and charts and analysis was done using IBM SPSS (International Business Machines’ Statistical product and service solutions) version 25 software. Results: The mean age was 29.37 ± standard deviation 4.43 years and the predominant ethnic group was Igbo (46.5%); 96.56% were married; 68.06% had tertiary education and 49.14% were in their third trimesters. The combined incidence of intimate partner violence among the participants was 17.69% with physical violence contributing 3.19%; the head region (40%) being the most affected body part. While 34% experienced intrauterine foetal death in the past following IPV. In Miller’s landmark study, 27 of 1300 sexually active young women, one in five reported partner pregnancy non promoting behaviors, such as intimidation, threats to leave the relationship if the woman did not become pregnant or actual violence. The two most significant factors for IPV were age and marital status both at P values of P = 0.0001. Conclusion: Medical doctors should feel more open discussing issues around IPV with their clients during antenatal visits.