The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
Time to read
less than
1 minute
Print
a- a+
Published 11 years ago
Last updated 2 years ago
Read so far

Intimate partner violence victimization prior to and during pregnancy among women residing in 26 U.S. states: Associations with maternal and neonatal health

0 comments

Silverman JG, Decker MR, Reed E, Raj A. (2006). Intimate partner violence victimization prior to and during pregnancy among women residing in 26 U.S. states: Associations with maternal and neonatal health. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 195:140-8.

ABSTRACT

Objective

To conduct a population-based assessment of associations of intimate partner violence in the year prior to and during pregnancy with maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Study design

Data from women giving birth in 26 U.S. states and participating in the 2000 to 2003 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (n = 118,579) were analyzed.

Results

Women reporting intimate partner violence in the year prior to pregnancy were at increased risk for high blood pressure or edema (adjusted odds ratio 1.37-1.40), vaginal bleeding (adjusted odds ratio 1.54-1.66), severe nausea, vomiting or dehydration (adjusted odds ratio 1.48-1.63), kidney infection or urinary tract infection (adjusted odds ratio 1.43-1.55), hospital visits related to such morbidity (adjusted odds ratio 1.45-1.48), and delivery preterm (adjusted odds ratio 1.37), of a low-birthweight infant (adjusted odds ratio 1.17), and an infant requiring intensive care unit care (adjusted odds ratio 1.31-1.33) compared with those not reporting intimate partner violence. Women reporting intimate partner violence during but not prior to pregnancy experienced higher rates of a subset of these concerns.

Conclusion

Women experiencing intimate partner violence both prior to and during pregnancy are at risk for multiple poor maternal and infant health outcomes, suggesting prenatal risks to children from mothers' abusive partners.