Intimate partner violence among pregnant Thai women

Violence Against Women. 2008 May;14(5):509-27. doi: 10.1177/1077801208315525.

Abstract

The purposes of this study are to describe intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant women in Thailand and compare maternal characteristics, health practices during pregnancy, and maternal health between abused and nonabused pregnant women. Of 475 pregnant Thai women, 13.1% report ever being abused, whereas 4.8% report physical abuse during pregnancy. Women abused during pregnancy, compared to nonabused women, are more likely to be younger, unmarried, have low income, be unemployed, and report that the pregnancy was unwanted. They also report lower levels of positive health practices and higher levels of depressive symptoms. Results demonstrate a need for screening of IPV among pregnant Thai women.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Battered Women / psychology
  • Battered Women / statistics & numerical data*
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Marriage
  • Poverty
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology
  • Prenatal Care / standards
  • Quality of Life
  • Social Environment*
  • Social Values
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Women's Health*