DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ITS EFFECT ON PREGNANT WOMEN

1.1 Introduction

Domestic violence refers to interpersonal violence which takes place in domestic settings, family relationships and intimate relationships. It is also known as family violence or spousal abuse. Any one (men or women) can become a domestic violence offender or victim. Domestic violence is destructive behavior in an intimate relationship where one person tries to dominate and control the other in a dating or marital relationship or in cohabitation, which causes physical, psychological or sexual harm to those in that relationship (Krug E. et. al. 2002).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Domestic violence against pregnant women is one of the most pervasive abuses of human rights in the world, that lie in the spheres of those who are interested in the study of women's health and her rights. Violence against pregnant women is the barrier of women's empowerment and hinders the equal participation in society. However, they often go unnoticed and undocumented and therefore unresolved. Violence during pregnancy may threaten not only a woman well-being but that of her unborn child. Among women who had ever been pregnant six percent were hit, slapped, kicked or subjected to some other form of physical violence (Bailey, 2012).

Moreover domestic violence known as spousal abuse or intimate partner violence (IPV), which is defined as “behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors'” ( Audi, 2012). In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that, the prevalence of physical or sexual, or both type of violence varied from fifteen percent to seventy one percent in different countries. Physical injury, psychological problems and complications of pregnancy are some of the health consequences that result from violence inflicted on pregnant women by their intimate male partners (WHO, 2011).

Urquia et al., 2011, was reported that un-attention has been given to domestic violence during pregnancy as global public health problem due to its adverse health consequences. An understanding of the effect of a partner's violence against a pregnant woman could have important reproductive health implications with early identification. It could also help in shaping future intervention programs. Pregnancy provides an opportunity to screen for domestic violence since pregnant women make routine antenatal visits. On the other hand, violence against pregnant women perpetrated by husbands occur in every society, but its prevalence and tolerance vary from country to country. Studies demonstrate that violence during pregnancy is more common in developing countries than developed countries and the consequence of domestic violence during pregnancy ranges from financial hardships and decreased intimacy to high rates of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality (Devries et al., 2010). Violence during pregnancy had a higher rates of preterm labor and intrauterine growth retardation than women without a history of violence, also domestic violence during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, bleeding during pregnancy, and higher neonatal deaths (Berenson et al., 2010) Intimate partner violence during pregnancy is a serious public health issue which threatens fetal and maternal health, so the effects of intimate partner violence on women's health are increasing attention from local and international policy makers, and from the healthcare community, this is due to an increased awareness of the prevalence of violence. Also the government has recognized the need to increase the awareness, understanding, and recognition of domestic violence to encourage victims to come forward (Shah, 2010). Researches has shown that nurses feel inadequately prepared to deal with victims of domestic violence and that a gap in practice and knowledge experience requires support and education, so antenatal care is very important for early detection of intimate partner violence, and is providing a suitable setting for addressing issues of violence. Asking questions may assist women to disclose their experiences of violence to health professionals and enable access to additional support and care, including community, legal and police support services (Flach et al., 2011).

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Domestic Violence and It's Effect on Pregnant Women.

1.3 Statement of Problems

The incidence of domestic violence against pregnant women in the family is a regularly occurring phenomenon. Violence or at least the fear of violence is a part of every woman’s life. Each woman knows someone who has been the victim of a violent involved at one time or another. The mystique of the family as the private peaceful cradled of safety and emotional support has influenced the lack of attention given to the violence that does occur, especially to women. And in many societies, paddling a wife for misbehavior by the husband is the norm. Violence against pregnant women, committed by an intimate partner, is an important public health and human rights issue.

In recent years, attention has focused also on intimate partner violence during pregnancy due to its prevalence, adverse health consequences and intervention potential. So, an understanding of the effect of a partner's violence against a pregnant woman could have important reproductive health implications with early identification. Pregnancy provides an opportunity to screen for domestic violence since pregnant women make routine visits during this period. Therefore, it is critical to explore the impact of violence on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Effect of Domestic Violence on Pregnant Women. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To identify the effect of domestic violence on pregnant Women
2. To assess the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy.
3. To assess the risk associated with domestic violence during pregnancy.
4. To determine the relationship between domestic violence and pregnancy.
5. To establish the attitudes and barriers to identifying and discussing with pregnant patients domestic violence during pregnancy.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Does the treatment of domestic violence as private matter is responsible for its persistence?
• Does the economic reason hinder the persecution of men for violence against pregnant women?
• What is the conventional family structure serves to rein force domestic violence?
• What are the risks associated with domestic violence during pregnancy?
• What is the relationship between domestic violence and pregnancy?
• What are the attitudes and barriers to identifying and discussing with pregnant patients domestic violence during pregnancy?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There are no significant Strategies for Handling Domestic Violence among Pregnant Women in Awka South
• H1: There are significant Strategies for Handling Domestic Violence among Pregnant Women in Awka South

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There are no significant Consequences for Handling Domestic Violence among Pregnant Women in Awka South
• H1: There are significant Consequences for Handling Domestic Violence among Pregnant Women in Awka South

1.7 Significance of Study

This work investigates the prevalence and types of Domestic Violence among pregnant women living in Nigeria to inform policy, practice and future research. Domestic violence against pregnant women to create awareness is still baffling to note that the problem is not being given the due attention it requires. It is hoped that this study would give fresh impetus to the campaign against violence against pregnant women in Awka South, Anambra State, most of the local are illiterate and, or are ill-educated on the rights and protection of women in the constitution of the state. It is hoped that this study would in explicit terms educate and inform the women at risk and other shareholders, of protective measures available in them.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of this research is focused on the Domestic Violence and It's Effect on Pregnant Women in Awka South, Anambra State.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Domestic: As used herein, refer to the types of relationships involved rather than the place where the violent act occurs.

Domestic Violence: Includes violence against pregnant women and girls by an intimate partner, including cohabiting partner, and by other family members, whether this violence occurs within or beyond the confines violence of the home.

Family: Refers to a social group whose members are united by ties of blood, marriage, or adoption and who live together, cooperate economically, care for the young and create a new culture.

Marital Violence: Refers to threat or actual physical assault by husbands or male partners upon their female counterparts wives.