Intimate partner violence and its association with maternal depressive symptoms 6–8 months after childbirth in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

Background

The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), a gross violation of human rights, ranges widely across the world with higher prevalence reported in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence related mainly to physical health shows that IPV has both direct and indirect impacts on women's health. Little is known about the impact of IPV on the mental health of women, particularly after childbirth.

Objective

To describe the prevalence of IPV experienced by women 6–8 months after childbirth in rural Bangladesh and the factors associated with physical IPV. The study also aims to investigate the association between IPV and maternal depressive symptoms after childbirth.

Design

The study used cross-sectional data at 6–8 months postpartum. The sample included 660 mothers of newborn children. IPV was assessed by physical, emotional, and sexual violence. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale assessed maternal depressive symptoms.

Results

Prevalence of physical IPV was 52%, sexual 65%, and emotional 84%. The husband's education (OR: 0.41, CI: 0.23–0.73), a poor relationship with the husband (OR: 2.64, CI: 1.07–6.54), and emotional violence by spouse (OR: 1.58, CI: 1.35–1.83) were significantly associated with physical IPV experienced by women. The perception of a fussy and difficult child (OR: 1.05, CI: 1.02–1.08), a poor relationship with the husband (OR: 4.95, CI: 2.55–9.62), and the experience of physical IPV (OR: 2.83, CI: 1.72–4.64) were found to be significant predictors of maternal depressive symptoms among women 6–8 months after childbirth. Neither forced sex nor emotional violence by an intimate partner was found to be significantly associated with maternal depressive symptoms 6–8 months postpartum.

Conclusions

It is important to screen for both IPV and depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum. Since IPV and spousal relationships are the most important predictors of maternal depressive symptoms in this study, couple-focused interventions at the community level are suggested.

• intimate partner violence
• mental health
• South Asia
• Bangladesh
• maternal depression

This paper is part of the Special Issue: Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health. More papers from this issue can be found at http://www.globalhealthaction.net

This paper is part of the Special Issue: Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health. More papers from this issue can be found at http://www.globalhealthaction.net

Acknowledgements

The authors thank members of the data collection and data management teams at the Research and Evaluation Division, BRAC in Bangladesh for their support. The study was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Link (2007-25292-51983-33) and European Commission (BD/ASIA-Link/ASIE/2006/144-465) to Karolinska Institute and School of Public Health, Brac University.

Conflict of interest and funding

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.

Notes

This paper is part of the Special Issue: Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health. More papers from this issue can be found at http://www.globalhealthaction.net