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Intimate partner violence and fertility‑related issues: A cross‑sectional survey of women attending antenatal clinic at the university college hospital, Ibadan


Oluwasomidoyin Olukemi Bello
Gbolahan Oladele Obajimi
Cecilia Olusade Adetayo

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) in pregnancy is of great public health importance because it involves two lives (mother and fetus). It is a range of behavior exhibited by a current or former partner with the potential of causing physical, emotional, or sexual harm to the receiver. This study aims to establish the prevalence and predictors of IPV and its association with fertility‑related characteristics and behaviors.

Methods: A descriptive cross‑sectional survey involving 322 consenting pregnant women. A semi‑structured self‑administered questionnaire was employed for data collection. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 30.8 ± 4.5 years with parity ranging from 0 to 5. The prevalence of IPV was higher (81.0%) among respondents who had children compared to those who had no children (19.0%). The common forms of IPV experienced by the women in this study were shouting (86.7%), verbal abuse (76.2%), and slapping (57.1%). Other serious forms of IPV experienced included forced sex (14.3%) and threats to the life of the respondents (4.8%). Polygamy and low educational attainment were strong predictors of IPV risk (P < 0.05). Contraceptive use before pregnancy and husband’s support of its use were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: IPV is an unpalatable event. The prevalence rate of IPV was 6.5% in this study with the most common forms being shouting and verbal abuse. Polygamy and low educational attainment were significant risk factors for IPV. The desire for conception in this study was 76.2% with IPV prevalence slightly higher in respondents with children (7.9%). Educating the girl child would bring stability to the home by reducing the prevalence of IPV.

Keywords: Fertility issues; intimate partner violence; pregnant women


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eISSN: 0189-5117