ABSTRACT
Pregnancy is often perceived as a joyous and celebratory time, but for most women, it can also
be a period of heightened vulnerability. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health
challenge that affects millions of pregnant women worldwide, threatening their physical and
emotional well-being as well as the health of their unborn child. This study aimed to explore
the experience of antenatal attendees and determine the factors aggravating the occurrence of
IPV during pregnancy. The research was the qualitative cross-sectional study of a triangulated
research conducted among 400 antenatal attendees of a teaching hospital in Anambra State,
Nigeria. Thematic qualitative analysis was used for analysis in the study. Twenty of the
survivors of IPV were sampled for the qualitative study. The 20 participants said they
experienced controlling behaviours from their spouses. The ‘monitoring your movements’,
‘ignoring or ‘treating you indifferently’, and ‘being very jealous’ components of controlling
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behaviours were the commonest experiences encountered. Eighteen (90%) of the respondents
reported that their husbands often refuse to eat their food at every little disagreement. Economic
hardship, lack of money and poor business sales were major factors associated with intimate
partner violence in pregnancy.
The economic stress and frustration caused by financial hardship and business struggles can
increase tension and conflict within the home. Furthermore, the lack of economic opportunities
and resources can limit women’s autonomy and agency, making them more vulnerable to abuse.
Addressing poverty and unemployment is very important in ameliorating pregnancy-related
intimate partner violence.
Keywords: Intimate partner violence, Pregnancy, Antenatal clinic, Tertiary hospital,
Anambra state.
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