Domestic Violence against Pregnant Women in Ofla District, Tigray, Ethiopia

Background: Domestic violence against women is widely recognized as a serious human right issue, and an important public health problem with its substantial consequences of physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health issues around the globe. Even though its consequences are high during pregnancy, little is known about domestic violence in Ethiopia. This study assessed domestic violence among married pregnant women in Ofla District, Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 476 married pregnant women in public health facilities of Ofla, Tigray, Ethiopia. Study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Pretested, structured, and face to face data collection was done using a standardized World Health Organization multi-country tool for assessing domestic violence against women. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with domestic violence during the current pregnancy. Results: The proportion of domestic violence during the current pregnancy was 33.8%. Psychological (22.7%), sexual (15.5%) and physical violence (11.3%). Domestic violence was associated with having alcohol drinker husband [(AOR=2.89, 95% CI: (1.8, 4.66)], undesired pregnancy by husband [(AOR=5.2, 95% CI: (2.02, 13.4)], husbands multiple sexual partners status [(AOR=5.1, 95% CI: (2.08, 12.5)], unplanned pregnancy [(AOR= 4.54, 95% CI: (1.86, 11.08)], and low decision making capacity of women [(AOR=2.7, 95% CI: (1.64, 4.37)]. Conclusion: About one –third of pregnant women experienced domestic violence during a recent pregnancy. Enhancing women’s decision making power, encouraging inter-spousal communication to enhance relationships to make join reproductive decisions are crucial to reducing domestic violence during pregnancy.