Intimate partner violence among pregnant Thai women
Thananowan, N.; Heidrich, S.M.
Violence Against Women 14(5): 509-527
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 1077-8012 PMID: 18408170 DOI: 10.1177/1077801208315525Document Number: 200288
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.