Assessment of Relationship between Violence Exposure Pregnancy and Low Birth Weight: a caseâcontrol study
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Abstract
Introduction: Birth weight is one of the most important indices of health status of societies. Exposure with violence during pregnancy may influences the birth weight, the aim of this study is assessment of relationship between exposure with violence during pregnancy and low birth weight.
Materials and methods: This case-control study carried out on 636 subjects (318 cases and 318 controls) that were matched by sex of neonate and pregnancy age. The cases selected using convenience sampling method and controls selected using quota sampling method in 2006-2007. The data collected using a structured questionnaire and interview method. The data were analysis by descriptive and analytical (chi-square and independent t test، odds ratio and logistic multiple regression model) statistic، using SPSS 13 software.
Results: The mean of birth weight among cases and controls was 2.217 ± 0.334 and 3.39 ± 0.392 Kg, respectively. This study showed that 13% of women were not exposed with any violence during the pregnancy (10% of cases and 17% of controls). Multiple analysis using logistic regression showed that the chance of LBW among neonates that their mothers exposed with behavioral, sexual and physical violence were 1.5 (P>0.05), 2 (P>0.05) and 4.9 (P=0.01) time more than unexposed group respectively.
Discussion and Conclusion: The results showed that physical violence during pregnancy influence the birth weight. Planning regarding decrease of violence (especially physical one) during pregnancy is highly recommended and justifying the families about its consequences is so important.
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