Intimate partner violence during pregnancy: a pilot intervention program in Lima, Peru

J Interpers Violence. 2010 Nov;25(11):2054-76. doi: 10.1177/0886260509354517. Epub 2010 Feb 9.

Abstract

This pilot study examined the effectiveness of standard care and an empowerment intervention for abused pregnant women. Severe psychological abuse was most prevalent (42.2%) among this sample of women. Compared with women in the standard care group at the postintervention survey, women in the empowerment group were more likely to hide money (44.6% vs. 34.3%), establish a code with family or friends (19.6% vs. 16.2%), ask neighbors to call police if violence began (6.9% vs. 1.0%), had available bank account numbers (17.1% vs. 3.1%), had valuable jewelry (8.4% vs. 3.8%), and had available a hidden bag with extra clothing (9.0% vs. 3.1%). However, there was no statistically significant difference in health-related quality of life, adoption of safety behaviors, and use of community resources between women in the two groups. Simply asking pregnant women about abuse and offering referral could potentially interrupt and prevent further abuse.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Peru
  • Pilot Projects
  • Power, Psychological*
  • Pregnancy / psychology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology*
  • Program Development
  • Program Evaluation
  • Quality of Life
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Spouse Abuse / prevention & control*
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult