Consequences of intimate partner violence against pregnant women and the involvement of health care providers

Abstract

Background. Violence against women is a major public health problem. Violence against pregnant women has serious health consequences for both pregnant women and child. Purpose. Using an online search on Pubmed our aim was to make a review of consequences of intimate partner violence against women, emphasizing the size of the impacts on pregnant women, pregnancy and child and aspects of the involvement of health providers. Method. The following key words have been on Pubmed introduced: “intimate partner violence“, “violence against women“, “pregnant women“, “pregnancy outcomes“, “prenatal care“. We reviewed research with a high evidence level published in the last five years, using the Pubmed, Cochrane database as well as WHO and EU documents until August 2016. Results. Most women are reluctant to reveal the phenomenon, but there are some who would consider acceptable for doctors to systematically ask about violence if the patient has certain injuries or features. Prenatal care is an opportunity for early identification and prevention of recurrence of such violence against women. Conclusion. The consequences of intimate partner violence against women pregnant are important and serious consequences on both short and long term health of the woman and the child. Health professionals should be prepared formal urgently to recognize situations that might be caused or complicated by IPV and how to react in these situations.

Keywords

• intimate partner violence
• violence against women
• pregnant women
• pregnancy outcomes
• prenatal care