Citation

Higashida Y, Imada K, Miki S, Ohashi K. Bosei Eisei 2010; 51(1): 163-169.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Japan Society of Maternal Health)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate actual conditions of domestic violence toward pregnant women and clarify the kinds of support that are necessary for them. An interview-type screening of domestic violence was conducted involving 3,385 pregnant women from June 2003 through May 2008. The screening was performed 4 times during pregnancy. The researcher interviewed the pregnant woman about physical, mental, sexual violence. Out of these, 35 pregnant women described experiences of domestic violence. Their narratives were analyzed qualitatively. The following 7 kinds of violence were extracted from the contents of the interviews: "physical violence", "mental violence" "sexual violence", "social violence", "economic violence", "verbal violence", and "neglect". The peculiar symptoms caused by domestic violence were the aggravation of morning sickness, delivery onset, and social isolation. There was no case in which violence started at the beginning of pregnancy, suggesting that all victims had been abused before pregnancy. This study indicated that seven types of violence need to be screened for to assess domestic violence toward pregnant women, and healthcare providers should undergo training to identify the overlooked victims.