Intimate Partner Violence and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes among Women Accessing Postnatal Care in a Tertiary Hospital in North-Central Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

• Paul E. Agbo, Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State; Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State.Follow
• Lucky L. Changkat, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia.Federal University Teaching Hospital, LafiaFollow
• Mary C. Momoh, Federal University of Lafia/Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia.Follow
• Salihu O. Mohammed, Federal University of Lafia. Federal University Teaching Hospital, LafiaFollow
• Dogara B. Bawa, Federal University of Lafia. Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia.Follow
• Adeola Olabamiji, Federal University of Lafia. Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia.Follow
• Rashida Musa, Federal University of Lafia. Federal University Teaching Hospital, LafiaFollow
• Steve C. Okoro, Federal University of Lafia. Federal University Teaching Hospital, LafiaFollow
• Ene F. Agbo, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia.Follow
• Lawal A. Abdulmumuni, Federa University ,LafiaFollow

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a major public health concern associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite increasing recognition, evidence linking specific forms of IPV to pregnancy outcomes in Nigeria remains limited. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence and examine its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes among women attending postnatal care in a tertiary hospital in North-Central Nigeria. A hospital-based cross-sectional analytic study was conducted among 381 women attending postnatal care. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire that incorporated the Abuse Assessment Screen. IPV was categorized into emotional, physical, and sexual violence. Adverse pregnancy outcome was defined as the occurrence of at least one obstetric or neonatal complication. Due to collinearity among IPV forms, separate multivariable logistic regression models were fitted. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals were reported. The prevalence of emotional, physical, and sexual IPV was 22.1%, 17.1%, and 8.9%, respectively, while adverse pregnancy outcomes occurred in 22.2% of participants. Physical violence (AOR = 56.32; 95% CI: 23.85–133.01; p < 0.001) and emotional violence (AOR = 159.42; 95% CI: 58.66–433.26; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Sexual violence was also significantly associated (AOR = 6.37; 95% CI: 2.78–14.59; p < 0.001). However, the magnitude of these associations, particularly for emotional and physical violence, may reflect sparse data bias or residual confounding. The emotional violence model demonstrated poor fit (Hosmer–Lemeshow, p = 0.004), indicating possible model misspecification. Intimate partner violence is a significant determinant of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Routine IPV screening should be integrated into postnatal care services in Nigeria.

Recommended Citation

Agbo, Paul E.; Changkat, Lucky L.; Momoh, Mary C.; Mohammed, Salihu O.; Bawa, Dogara B.; Olabamiji, Adeola; Musa, Rashida; Okoro, Steve C.; Agbo, Ene F.; and Abdulmumuni, Lawal A. (2026) "Intimate Partner Violence and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes among Women Accessing Postnatal Care in a Tertiary Hospital in North-Central Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study," Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health: Vol. 11: No. 1, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17977/ um044v11i12026p38-49
Available at: https://citeus.um.ac.id/preventia/vol11/iss1/4