Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and quality of life in Southern Brazil: a cross-sectional study, 2022

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the association between intimate partner violence during pregnancy (IPVP) and quality of life (QOL). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with pregnant women receiving care in Primary Health Care in the municipality of Criciúma, Santa Catarina state, Brazil, in 2022; QOL was assessed in the physical, psychological, social relationship and environmental domains using WHOQOL-Bref instrument; IPVP was evaluated by means of the World Health Organization Violence Against Women; Crude and adjusted linear regression analyses were performed. Results A total of 389 pregnant women were evaluated; IPVP was observed in 13.6% of cases; in the adjusted analysis, IPVP remained associated with physical, psychological and social relationship domains; pregnant women who experienced IPVP had a reduction in their QOL score by 9.77, 11.07 and 8.95 points, respectively, when compared to those who did not experience IPVP. Conclusion IPVP was associated with poorer QOL in the physical, psychological and social relationships domains. Health services equipped to address and prevent violence against pregnant women are essential.

Keywords

• Pregnant Women
• Violence Against Women
• Primary Health Care
• Intimate Partner Violence
• Cross-Sectional Study