Intimate Partner Violence in Pregnancy Among Antenatal Attendees at Health Facilities in West Pokot County, Kenya
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Date
2015-10
Authors
Owaka, Isaac Ogweno
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Violence against women perpetuated by intimate partners is worldwide and an important
public health concern as well as human rights issue. Intimate partner violence in
pregnancy has drawn attention due to its prevalence, detrimental health consequences and
intervention potential. In Kenya, the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey report
estimates that 38 % of ever-married women age 15-49 have ever experienced Intimate
Partner Violence. There is scanty information on the prevalence and associated risk
factors of intimate partner violence in pregnancy in West Pokot County. The objective of
this study was to investigate factors contributing to intimate partner violence in
pregnancy among antenatal attendees at the health facilities in West Pokot Sub-County.
The study was done in 11 health facilities in West Pokot Sub-County. Using cross
sectional study design, a total of 238 antenatal attendees who were proportionately and
systematically selected from a sample frame of 622 were interviewed for experience of
various forms of intimate partner violence in their current pregnancy. This was followed
by qualitative research comprising of 4 Focused Group Discussions with 48 community
health workers and key informant interviews with 20 health workers. The qualitative
study explored community level risk factors on intimate partner violence in pregnancy
and the quality of care offered to antenatal attendee experiencing intimate partner
violence in pregnancy. Quantitative data was managed using the statistical package for
social scientist (SPSS) while Qualitative data was consolidated into various themes.
Bivariate and logistic regression analysis was done to determine factors associated with
experience of IPV in the index of pregnancy with P :s 0.05 being considered significant.
Informed consent was sought from the participants. Confidentiality and privacy was
maintained throughout the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from Kenyatta
University Ethics Review Committee, and a research permit from National Council for
Science, Technology and Innovation. The study found prevalence of overall, physical,
psychological and sexual IPV in pregnancy to be 66.9%, 29.9%, 55.8% and 39.2%
respectively. After adjusting for confounders, Overall IPV in pregnancy was significantly
associated with Alcohol intake by partner (OR 2.116, 95% Cl 1.950-2.260, P 0.000) and
partner's level of education (OR 1.265, 95% Cl 1.079-1.487, P 0.031), while
psychological and sexual IPV was significantly associated with age of partner (OR 2.292,
95% Cl 2.123-2.722, P 0.007) and age of pregnant women (OR 1.174,95% Cl 1.001-
1.397 P 0.049) respectively. The care offered to antenatal attendees experiencing IPV is
not in line with WHO guidelines and standard on handling gender based violence cases.
The study findings indicates that IPV in pregnancy among antenatal attendees in West
Pokot is very high. This unearths the weaknesses and gaps on gender based violence
interventions both in health facilities and community level. Based on this study there is
need for the national government, County government of West Pokot to integrate
screening of fPV with maternal and child health services.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Award of the Degree of Master of Public Health (Reproductive
Health) in the School of Public Health of Kenyatta University, OCTOBER 2015