Intimate partner violence experience, support seeking and coping strategies among pregnant women in Southwestern Uganda

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy remains a global health challenge. This study aimed to explore pregnant women’s experiences of IPV, support seeking, and coping strategies in Southwestern Uganda. Pregnant women who had experienced IPV during pregnancy were purposively selected and completed in-depth interviews, with data saturation reached after 25 participants. Guided by the feminist theory, data were analyzed deductively and inductively using thematic analysis. Participating pregnant women were exposed to physical violence (e.g., the gravid abdomen being stepped on), psychological violence (e.g., verbal abuse), sexual violence (e.g., being forced into uncomfortable sexual positions), and financial control and manipulation (e.g., economic dependency used as a means of control). Pregnant women attributed IPV to intergenerational violence, unequal power dynamics in their households, and differences in traditional gender roles and social norms between men and women. Some pregnant women used active coping strategies to overcome effects of IPV, such as sharing their IPV experiences with a confidant. Other women accommodated abuse through passive coping strategies, such as keeping silent. Furthermore, identified barriers to seeking help after experiencing IPV included a lack of awareness, negative experiences with healthcare providers, partner dependence, and feelings of shame, guilt, and fear. This study’s findings suggest stakeholders need to prioritize IPV screening, care, referral, and sensitization in healthcare facilities and communities. In addition, rules and regulations that protect the rights of IPV survivors should be strengthened, and perpetrators held accountable for their actions.