Physical and sexual abuse of women before, during, and after pregnancy
Guo, S.F.; Wu, J.L.; Qu, C.Y.; Yan, R.Y.
International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 84(3): 281-286
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7292 PMID: 15001384 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2003.08.019Document Number: 232870
Objectives: To examine patterns of physical and sexual abuse before, during, and after pregnancy. Methods: A community-based interview survey of a representative group of women with children aged 6-18 months was carried out between November 1, 2001, and February 28, 2002, in 32 communities of the Tianjing, Liaoning, Henan, and Shannxi provinces. Results: The overall prevalence of physical and sexual abuse (occurring before, during, and after pregnancy) was 11.7%. The prevalence of physical and sexual abuse before pregnancy was 8.5%, compared with 3.6% during pregnancy and 7.4% during an average postpartum period of 11 months. Abuse before pregnancy was a strong indicator of abuse during pregnancy and after delivery, and abuse during a previous period was a strong indicator of subsequent abuse. Most abuse was recurrent and not severe. Conclusion: Routine screening for abuse in the maternity services setting is advocated to decrease the effect of abuse on women and their children.
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