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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Mood Disorders | Research article

Violence and depression among pregnant women in Egypt

Authors: Hanan M. Ghoneim, Mohamed Elprince, Tamer Yehia M. Ali, Waleed F. Gharieb, Amal A. Ahmed

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Depression is a serious mental health disorder that might affect women in the childbearing period. Incidences increase during pregnancy as well as after delivery. Its association with intimate partner violence (defined as physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner) has been reported in many countries. Data about this sensitive issue are lacking in Egypt. The aim of the study was to determine the relation between intimate partner violence and depression during pregnancy.

Methods

This was a case control study conducted at the outpatient clinics in Suez Canal University hospital, from January 2019 to March 2020. The study included two groups, the study group included women exposed to violence during the current pregnancy and a control one included women with no history of violence. Both groups were recruited according to the predetermined inclusion criteria (women aged 18-45 years, continuous marital relationship, no history of depression in current or previous pregnancies, and singleton pregnancy). Women were asked to complete the Arabic validated NorVold Domestic Abuse Questionnaire (measuring four types of abuse: emotional, physical, sexual, and violence in the health care system, the last one being excluded). Depression was evaluated using the Arabic validated form of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (comprises 10 questions that represent patients’ feelings in the last 7 days). The main outcome measure was to assess the association between intimate partner violence and depression.

Results

We recruited 158 women in each group. Both groups were matched in their demographic characters. Although emotional violence was reported prominently among women exposed to IPV 87.9% (139/158), it was not significantly reported in depressed women (P value 0.084). Physical and sexual violence were significantly reported among depressed women (P value 0.022 and 0.001, respectively). There was a significant difference between women exposed to violence and those who were not exposed to violence in the total depression scores (13.63 ± 5.47 and 10.65 ± 5.44, respectively with a p value < 0.001). Emotional (p value < 0.001) and sexual violence (mild and severe with p value of 0.026 and 0.002 respectively) had significant roles as risk factors for depression during pregnancy in single regression and after control of other confounders.

Conclusion

There was a strong association between intimate partner violence and depression during pregnancy.

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Title: Violence and depression among pregnant women in Egypt
Authors: Hanan M. Ghoneim
Mohamed Elprince
Tamer Yehia M. Ali
Waleed F. Gharieb
Amal A. Ahmed
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression
Affective Disorder
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03932-0

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Violence and depression among pregnant women in Egypt

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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