Domestic violence in pregnancy: prevalence and characteristics of the pregnant woman

Aims and objectives To determine the prevalence of domestic violence (physical, psychological or sexual) during pregnancy and to characterise these women. Background Pregnant women are not immune to domestic violence and therefore may be subject to any form of physical, psychological or sexual violence by partners. Health professionals’ knowledge and awareness are important in the identification and intervention of pregnant women who experience domestic violence. Methods Quantitative, descriptive, correlational study, using a nonprobabilistic convenience sample consisting of a total of 852 postpartum women, of whom 370 were experiencing domestic violence according to the criteria adopted through the modified scale of prevalence, applied between February–June 2012 in two Portuguese public health institutions. Authorisation was given by the Ethics Committees/Administration Councils of both institutions involved and the National Committee of Data Protection. Results The prevalence of DV during pregnancy was 43·4% (physical violence – 21·9%; psychological violence – 43·2%; and sexual violence – 19·6%). These women had the following profile: immigrant (OR = 5·70; IC95% 3·32–9·78), non‐Caucasian (OR = 6·27; IC95% 3·76–10·46), single/divorced/widowed (OR = 2·28; IC95% 1·70–3·05), academic qualifications up to year 9 (OR = 4·94; IC95% 3·31–7·37); between 10–12 years of schooling (OR = 2·36; IC95% 1·70–3·29); unemployed (OR = 2·01; IC95% 1·50–2·69); and with a monthly income