Intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending prenatal care in Bondo sub-county, Western Kenya

Objectives To investigate prevalence and factors that contribute to intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending prenatal care in Bondo sub-county, Western Kenya. Methods This cross-sectional analysis was conducted in three health facilities in Bondo, Western Kenya, from August 2020 to August 2021. Using systematic sampling 360 pregnant women attending prenatal care were selected. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Risk factors for intimate partner violence were determined using logistic regression. Results Out of the 360 respondents, 127 (35.3%) faced intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Among these, 86 (23.9%) experienced psychological violence, 56 (15.6%) experienced physical abuse, and 59 (16.4%) experienced sexual violence. Unemployment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.90; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.08-7.79), the inability to count on parents or siblings for support (aOR 2.48; 95% CI 1.14-5.43), and having a partner that drinks alcohol either daily (aOR 4.84; 95% CI 1.69-13.88) or occasionally (aOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.16-4.13) were independently associated with intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Conclusion In this setting, intimate partner violence prevalence among pregnant women was high. Unemployment, having an alcohol-drinking partner, and the inability to count on parents or siblings for support were contributing factors.

Automated summary

This study investigated the prevalence and factors contributing to intimate partner violence among pregnant women receiving prenatal care in Bondo sub-county, Western Kenya. The results showed that approximately 35.3% of the respondents experienced intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Unemployment, having an alcohol-drinking partner, and the lack of support from parents or siblings were independently associated with intimate partner violence.