NCJ Number
222814
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 14 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 509-527
Date Published
May 2008
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study compared maternal health, maternal characteristics, and health practices during pregnancy between abused and nonabused pregnant women in Thailand.
Abstract
Findings indicate that the experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) among Thai pregnant women are similar to those found in Western countries; health policy changes should be implemented to identify women at risk for IPV and to institute practices to assist pregnant women experiencing IPV. The prevalence of IPV during pregnancy was 4.8 percent in Thailand while the U.S. estimates ranged from 0.9 to 20.1 percent. This range is likely due to methodological differences across studies, for example, clinical-based or population-based samples, adolescents or adults, and private or public clinics. In Thailand, the face was the most frequent site of injury during pregnancy, and slapping or pushing without injuries and/or lasting pain was the most common response given regarding severity of abuse among pregnant women who reported abuse. The injuries were consistent with U.S. studies and the one Thai study to date. In the U.S., many women reported being hit, kicked, or having things thrown at the abdomen and torso. In contrast, in this study, the abdomen was an infrequent site of injury (8 percent). Instead, the face (86 percent), arm or shoulder (30 percent), and breasts (22 percent) were the most frequent sites of injury among women who were abused during pregnancy. One possible cultural reason may be adherence to the Buddhist precepts to do no harm to living things, and avoiding the pregnant abdomen would be the least harmful to the fetus. Consistent with U.S. data, abused pregnant Thai women reported lower income, were more likely to be unemployed, were more likely to be younger, and were more likely to be unmarried than nonabused pregnant women. Data were collected from a sample of 487 pregnant Thai women during antenatal clinic visits at 5 hospitals located in Bangkok, Thailand. Figure, tables, and references