Current Pediatric Research

Physical violence during pregnancy is an endemic global problem, which endanger to mother and fetus. Even if violence of women right especially in developing countries like Ethiopia isn’t progress and achieve sustainable development goal. Aims of this study to assess Physical violence and associated factors during pregnancy in Yirgalem Town, Sidama Zone, South Ethiopia 2015.

Methods: Facility based cross sectional study was conducted among 216 who attended ANC in Yirgalem health center, Sidama Zone, South Ethiopia, April 31-may 30 2015. The data were collected by interview pretest structured questionnaires by consecutive sampling methods. Both logistic regression bivariate and multivariate analysis were done to identify predictors of physical violence during pregnancy.

Results: in this study 12% pregnant women currently experience physical violence. Physical violence experience by illiterate spouse 1.7 times than literate spouse [AOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.8]. Unwanted pregnancy occurs women have 17 times incident of physical violence [AOR = 17.1, 95% CI: 3.5-83.2]. Spouse who had habits 8.7 times abuse her wives [AOR = 8.7, 95% CI: 2.98-25.6].conclusion: the magnitude of physical violence during pregnancy in this study is high relation to other studies conducted so far in the country. Significantly associated variables were education; spouse habits and unwanted pregnancy were associated factors for physical violence during pregnancy. Recommendation: community leaders, ”edir” Organizers, religious leaders, health sectors, health extension workers and stakeholders give attention regarding to the problems to publicize and teach the community the adverse outcome of physical violence.

Author(s): Zemenu Yohannes Kassa, Alemu Workineh Menale

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