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Maternal and Child Health Journal
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal 6/2011

01-08-2011

Abuse from In-Laws during Pregnancy and Post-Partum: Qualitative and Quantitative Findings from Low-income Mothers of Infants in Mumbai, India

Authors: Anita Raj, Shagun Sabarwal, Michele R. Decker, Saritha Nair, Meghna Jethva, Suneeta Krishnan, Balaiah Donta, Niranjan Saggurti, Jay G. Silverman

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 6/2011

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Abstract

To examine experiences of perinatal (in pregnancy or post-partum) abuse from in-laws and to assess associations between such experiences and perinatal intimate partner violence (IPV) from husbands, as reported by Indian women residing in low-income communities in Mumbai. The present study includes both qualitative and quantitative research conducted across two phases of study. The qualitative phase involved face-to-face, semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 32) with women seeking health care for their infants (6 months or younger) and self-reporting emotional or physical abuse from their husband. The quantitative arm involved survey data collection (n = 1,038) from mothers seeking immunization for their infants 6 months or younger at three large Urban Health Centers in Mumbai. Results of the qualitative study documented the occurrence of both non-physical and physical abuse from in-laws during pregnancy and post-partum. Non-physical forms of abuse included forced heavy domestic labor, food denial and efforts toward prevention of medical care acquisition. Quantitative results demonstrated that 26.3% of the sample reported perinatal abuse (non-physical and physical) from in-laws and that women experiencing perinatal sexual or physical IPV from husbands were significantly more likely to report perinatal abuse from in-laws (AOR = 5.33, 95% CI = 3.93–7.23). Perinatal abuse from in-laws is not uncommon among women in India and may be compromising maternal and child health in this context; such abuse is also linked to perinatal violence from husbands. Programs and interventions that screen and address IPV in pregnant and post-partum populations in India should be developed to include consideration of in-laws.
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Metadata
Title
Abuse from In-Laws during Pregnancy and Post-Partum: Qualitative and Quantitative Findings from Low-income Mothers of Infants in Mumbai, India
Authors
Anita Raj
Shagun Sabarwal
Michele R. Decker
Saritha Nair
Meghna Jethva
Suneeta Krishnan
Balaiah Donta
Niranjan Saggurti
Jay G. Silverman
Publication date
01-08-2011
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 6/2011
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0651-2

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