Introduction: Violence against pregnant women is a public health problem. Violence during pregnancy has poor maternal and fetal outcomes like low birth weight and preterm labor. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of domestic violence against pregnant women and its relationship with perinatal mortality, low birth weight and preterm labor.
Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 1300 pregnant women aged 18-39 years who were referred to Mahabad and Miandoab hospitals in Iran from 2010 to 2011. Samples were selected by a convenience sampling method and were studied via a self-made questionnaire included violence and neonatal outcome. Data collected by the questionnaire and cases medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16, logistic regression, Chi-square tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: 945 patients of pregnant women (72.7%) underwent emotional violence (46%), physical violence (44.1%) and sexual violence (30.2%) during their last pregnancy. The association between domestic violence and low birth weight (p=0.000) and preterm delivery (p=0.001) was statistically significant.
Conclusion: Based on relationship between domestic violence during pregnancy with increased risks of preterm labor and low birth weight deliveries, a routine screening in perinatal clinics is suggested to identify high risk cases and provide necessary health services.