Factors associated with physical violence among pregnant women in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Violence against pregnant women is a public health problem globally. Intimate Partner Physical Violence is the most common type of violence against women. It can be defined as a push, shake, throwing something at you slapping you twist your arm or pull your hair, punch you with his fist or with something that will hurt you kick you mainly the stomach parts drag you beat you up burn you on purpose threaten or attack you with a weapon for instance knife or a gun by former or current partner. The main objective of the research study was to examine the factors associated with physical Violence among pregnant women in Eastern Uganda. The 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data set for pregnant women aged 15-49 years was used. I focused and analyzed findings on 5039 pregnant women who were sampled. Frequency tables were generated and bi-variate analysis done; summary statistics were used to present quantitative variables while chi square test was used to determine association between the variables. Multivariate analysis was done using a logistic regression. Results show that majority (87%) resided in rural areas, (65%) had attained primary education level, (49%) in the lowest quintile. (48%) had given birth to more than three children. Women’s age, husband’s/partner’s education level, woman’s education level, parity, wealth status were significantly associated with physical violence during pregnancy. This study demonstrate the need for women to have access to education, need to establish community based physical violence prevention programs targeted at breaking the cycle of abuse, transforming gender norms which support physical violence.