Woman abuse and pregnancy outcome among women in Khoram Abad, Islamic Republic of Iran

ABSTRACT

We carried out a descriptive analysis on the pregnancy outcome in 313 pregnant women [153 abused, 160 non-abused]. Abuse was statistically significantly correlated with mean weight gain during pregnancy, mean frequency of the prenatal care, prolonged labour [dystocia], premature rupture of membrane, low mean birth weight and mean gestational age at birth. Given the high likelihood that a woman will access health care services during her pregnancy, physicians providing prenatal care are in a strategic position to screen for partner abuse