Abstract:
Background: Intimate partner violence during pregnancy is the physical, sexual and psychological abuse directed against pregnant women .It is prevalent in both developed and developing
countries including Ethiopia and information concerning the issue were insufficient. This study
aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of intimate partner violence during
pregnancy women in Abay Chomen Woreda, Western Ethiopia.
Methods: Community based cross sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in Abay Chomen Woreda from April 20 -30, 2014 using standard WHO multi country study questionnaire. A Sample of 282 currently married pregnant women aged 15-49years was randomly selected. P value <0.05, OR, 95%CI were used and data were analyzed by using logistic regression. Multivariate analysis cut off point p<0.25 was employed.
Results: The ever prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy was 44.5%(95%
CI,15.7,16.4). More than half 157(55.5%) experienced all the three forms of intimate partner
violence during pregnancy .The joint occurrence of intimate partner physical and psychological
violence during pregnancy as well as joint occurrence of intimate partner physical and sexual
violence was 160(56.5%). Pregnant women who live with their husband family has 46 percent
less likely to experience lifetime intimate partner violence during pregnancy when compared
with mothers not lived with their husband family (AOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.3, 0.98). Pregnant mothers who reported that dowry payment has positive impact showed 91 percent less likely to
experience IPVDP than those who reported no impact (AOR 0.09,95% CI 0.04,0.2). Pregnant
mothers who didn’t undergo marriage ceremony during their marriage has 79 percent less
likely to experience IPVDP(AOR 0.21,95% CI 0.1,0.44). Dowry impact, living with husband
family and marriage ceremony were associated with intimate partner violence during pregnancy.
Conclusion and recommendation: Nearly half of pregnant women experienced intimate partner
violence during pregnancy. This seeks urgent attention from policy makers, stake holders and the
local combined effort at different levels to prevent the problem.
