Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and its association with birth asphyxia in hospitals of Tigray region, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Birth asphyxia is the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Some studies indicate intimate partner violence during pregnancy is a risk factor for birth asphyxia. In Ethiopia, intimate partner violence during pregnancy is reported to be high. Despite this high prevalence, there is a lack of data about the association of birth asphyxia and intimate partner violence. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy and its associated factors with birth asphyxia in health facilities in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. METHODS: This was an institutional-based cross-sectional study conducted at select health facilities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Random sampling technique was employed to select health facilities and systematic sampling was used to select 648 study participants. Data was entered by using Epi info version 3.5.1 and was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to assess the association between exposure to intimate partner violence during pregnancy and birth asphyxia after adjusting for possible confounders. RESULTS: The prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy was 47(7.3%). Eighty two (12.7%) babies were delivered with birth asphyxia. Intimate partner violence during pregnancy had a significant association with birth asphyxia, AOR (95% CI) = 4.4(2-9.8). In addition to this, other factors that were associated with birth asphyxia include place of residence [ AOR (95% CI) = 2.7(1.55-4.8)], age > 19 [AOR (95% CI) = 2.9(1.29-6.5)], age 20-35 [AOR (95% CI) = 3.1(1.06-9.3)], gestational age < 37 weeks [AOR(95% CI) = 7.2(3.5-14.8)] and low birth weight [AOR(95% CI) = 3.9(2.1-7.3)]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of birth asphyxia in this study is high and is further increased by intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Health care providers and policy makers should take measures aimed at preventing intimate partner violence during pregnancy to reduce harm to the mother and adverse birth outcomes.

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and risks of low birth weight and preterm birth in hospitals of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Intimate partner Violence (IPV) can affect any woman, irrespective of their economic status, religion, or culture. This is a human-rights issue and due to its prevalence and adverse effects on pregnancy and birth, it must be given greater attention. Further, there is a lack of data in the Tigray region about adverse birth outcomes due to intimate partner violence during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess intimate partner violence during pregnancy and its association with low birth weight and preterm birth in Tigray region. Across-sectional study design was used. 647 women were involved in the study. Simple random sampling techniques were employed to select health facilities and systematic sampling was used to select study participants. Data were entered using Epi info version 3.5.1 and was analyzed using SPSSversion 20. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between exposure to intimate partner violence during pregnancy and preterm birth and low birth weight while adjusting for possible confounders. The prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy was 7.3% and the prevalence of low birth weight and preterm birth were 18.5% and 10.8% respectively. There was a statistically significant association between exposure to intimate partner violence during pregnancy and low birth weight. After adjustment for socioeconomic status, women's habits and obstetric factors, the pregnant women who were exposed to intimate partner violence during pregnancy were two times more likely to have a child with a low birth weight (2.39 (95% CI: 1.26-4.55)). The prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy, low birth weight, and preterm birth in this study was high. Women who experienced intimate partner violence during pregnancy had an increased risk of low birth weight. These findings justify a call to the federal minster of health to take measures aimed at avoiding intimate partner violence during pregnancy to reduce adverse birth outcomes.