Research Article
Physical Intimate Partner Violence among Pregnant Women in Ofla District, Tigray, Ethiopia
AdhenaBackground: Physical violence by an intimate partner during pregnancy is the most common, hidden, and serious public health problem worldwide particularly in Africa. However, this issue has received little attention in Ethiopia. This study assessed the magnitude of intimate partner physical violence and associated factors among pregnant women in Ofla District, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women who attended antenatal care in public health facilities. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Pretested, structured, and face to face data collection process was done using a standardized World Health Organization multi-country questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out. Odds ratio with 95% to show the strength and finally variables with p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The overall proportion of physical violence by an intimate partner during the current pregnancy was 13.4%. Violence was associated with being unmarried [(AOR= 3.23, 95% CI: (1.19, 8.82)], being rural dweller [(AOR= 3.99, 95% CI: (1.44, 11.1)], undesired pregnancy by intimate partner [(AOR= 4.18, 95% CI: (1.7, 10.29)], having alcoholic partner [(AOR=3.3, 95% CI: (1.51, 7.19)], spouse’s multiple sexual partners status [(AOR=3.77, 95% CI: (1.6, 8.87)]. Conclusion: Considerable proportion of pregnant women experienced physical violence by their intimate partner during a recent pregnancy. Addressing male involvement in sexual and reproductive health issues and empowering women in the community through awareness and intervention measures are very important to minimize the problem.