Prevalence and associated factors of intimate partner violence in Caxias, Maranhão state, Brazil, 2019-2020

Abstract

Objective: To analyze prevalence and associated factors of intimate partner violence during pregnancy Methods: Cross-sectional study, with data obtained through interviews with pregnant women aged 10 to 49 years old in the third trimester of pregnancy, residing in Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil (2019-2020). The World Health Organization Violence Against Women Study instrument was used to identify violence. A hierarchical analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression. Results: 233 pregnant women were interviewed. The prevalence of violence during pregnancy was 33%, with predominance of psychological violence (18.9%). In the final hierarchical model, woman’s age <20 years (AOR=2.09 – 95%CI 1.17;3.54) and abuse of illicit drugs by intimate partner (AOR=8.78 – 95%CI 2.13;28.92) remained as factors associated with the outcome. Conclusion: Violence during pregnancy had a high prevalence, with young age of the woman and partner's consumption of illegal substances factors associated with its occurrence.