Prevalence, Attitudes, Risk Factors, and Selected Health-Related Outcomes Associated with Spousal Physical Violence During Pregnancy in Egypt

Violence against women is often referred to as gender-based based violence because of its association with the subordinate status of women in many societies. It includes intimate partner violence (IPV), a term often used interchangeably with spousal violence. This may comprise physical violence, the most common form of IPV, as well as sexual, emotional and financial abuse. Husbands are more often the perpetrators and women bear the heavy burden of such abuse. IPV is a serious, costly and widespread problem. It has multiple adverse physical, mental and social impacts for women, children and families, communities and societies (Campbell 2002; Coker et al. 2000, 2002; Ellsberg et al. 2008; Garcia-Moreno et al. 2006; Watts and Zimmerman 2002). The reproductive health consequences may often include unintended pregnancies and poor pregnancy outcomes, as well as more hospitalizations, greater use of outpatient care for acute problems, and less preventive care (Cronholm et al. 2011). Physical violence has also been associated with a range of common gynecological disorders such as fibroids, decreased libido, chronic pelvic pain, pain on intercourse, urinary tract, vaginal, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Letourneau et al. 1999).