Violence throughout life, during pregnancy, and the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5216/ree.v27.77318Keywords:
Violence Against Women, COVID-19, Pregnant People, Intimate Partner ViolenceAbstract
Objective: to identify the frequency and types of intimate partner violence against women throughout life, during pregnancy, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: a descriptive study was conducted in a low-risk maternity hospital in Espirito Santo, Brazil, between August and December 2021. Data were collected using a socioeconomic questionnaire and an instrument to screen for violence variables (World Health Organization). Results: a total of 512 postpartum women participated, of whom 49% were victims of intimate partner violence throughout their lives. Psychological violence was the most frequent (45.5%), followed by physical (31.4%) and sexual (13.7%). The prevalence of violence during pregnancy was 10.0%, with psychological (7.2%) and physical (4.1%) violence predominating. Approximately 15% of the participants experienced intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women with a history of violence throughout their lives perceived an increase in the frequency (67.3%) and intensity (68.9%) of violence during the pandemic. Conclusion: there are high rates of intimate partner violence against women throughout life and during pregnancy. Additionally, violence escalated in both frequency and intensity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with psychological violence being the most frequent.
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