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 <1000 euros (OR = 1·90; IC95% 1·44-2·50). Through logistic regression, the following protective factors have been identified: nationality (Portuguese), race (Caucasian) and place of residence (city). CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the sample had experienced some form of domestic violence. This is associated with certain sociodemographic factors identified in the study. Psychological violence was the most prevalent during pregnancy. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Knowledge of the prevalence and characteristics of pregnant women who experience domestic violence is of paramount importance in planning appropriate strategies for their needs during pregnancy. Results indicate the need for nurses to intervene when warning signs of domestic violence against pregnant women are detected.

Pregnancy and childbirth: What changes in the lifestyle of women who become mothers? / El embarazo y el parto: ¿Qué cambios en el estilo de vida de las mujeres que son madres? / Gravidez e parto: O que muda no estilo de vida das mulheres que se tornam mães?

Pregnancy is a period influenced by the interaction of several factors, therefore this study aimed to identify changes in lifestyles due to pregnancy and childbirth in Portuguese and immigrant women in Portugal. This is a qualitative study, using the semi-structured interview, with eighty-two Portuguese and immigrant women. Content analysis was used, with verbatim classification supported by Nvivo 10. It was authorized by an Ethics Commission. Results revealed that the primary changes in lifestyles due to pregnancy were in eating habits (nutrition), daily activity, exposure to danger, sleep and rest patterns, social and family relationships, going out, self-care, work, clothing and footwear, travel, health monitoring and sexual activity and substances consumption. The main change after the birth, manifested by these women, was that their lives began to revolve around their baby.

El desarrollo del embarazo está determinado por la interacción entre varios factores. En este estudio fueron evaluados los cambios en el estilo de vida causadas por el embarazo y el parto en mujeres inmigrantes y portuguesas. El estudio posee un carácter cualitativo y exploratorio recurrió a entrevistas semiestructuradas, en ochenta y dos mujeres inmigrantes e portuguesas. Se utilizó el análisis de contenido apoyado por el programa QSR Nvivo10El estudio fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética. Los resultados mostraron cómo grandes cambios en los estilos de vida causados por el embarazo, relacionados con la alimentación, la actividad diaria, la exposición a riesgos, el sueño, el descanso, las relaciones sociales y familiares, salidas, cuidar de sí misma, el trabajo, la ropa y el calzado, viajes, vigilancia de la salud, las experiencias de la sexualidad y el consumo. El principal cambio, después de la entrega, que se manifiesta por estas mujeres, era que su vida tiene que ser manejado de acuerdo a la bebé.

O decurso da gravidez é determinado pela interação de diversos fatores, pelo que este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer as mudanças nos estilos de vida provocadas pela gravidez e pelo parto em mulheres imigrantes e portuguesas. Estudo de natureza qualitativa, exploratório, que recorreu à entrevista semiestruturada, em oitenta e duas mulheres imigrantes e portuguesas. Foi utilizada a análise de conteúdo com a categorização do verbatim suportada pelo Nvivo 10. O estudo foi autorizado por uma Comissão de Ética. Os resultados apontaram como principais mudanças ocorridas nos estilos de vida, provocadas pela gravidez, as relacionadas com a alimentação, atividade diária, exposição a perigos, sono e repouso, relações sociais e familiares, saídas, cuidado consigo própria, trabalho, vestuário e calçado, viagens, vigilância de saúde, vivências da sexualidade, e consumos. A principal mudança, após o parto, manifestada por estas mulheres, foi que a sua vida passou a ser gerida em função do bebé.

Pregnancy and childbirth: What changes in the lifestyle of women who become mothers?

Pregnancy is a period influenced by the interaction of several factors, therefore this study aimed to identify changes in lifestyles due to pregnancy and childbirth in Portuguese and immigrant women in Portugal. This is a qualitative study, using the semi-structured interview, with eighty-two Portuguese and immigrant women. Content analysis was used, with verbatim classification supported by Nvivo 10. It was authorized by an Ethics Commission. Results revealed that the primary changes in lifestyles due to pregnancy were in eating habits (nutrition), daily activity, exposure to danger, sleep and rest patterns, social and family relationships, going out, self-care, work, clothing and footwear, travel, health monitoring and sexual activity and substances consumption. The main change after the birth, manifested by these women, was that their lives began to revolve around their baby.