Woman abuse and pregnancy outcome among women in Khoram Abad, Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

We carried out a descriptive analysis on the pregnancy outcome in 313 pregnant women (153 abused, 160 non-abused). Abuse was statistically significantly correlated with mean weight gain during pregnancy, mean frequency of the prenatal care, prolonged labour (dystocia), premature rupture of membrane, low mean birth weight and mean gestational age at birth. Given the high likelihood that a woman will access health care services during her pregnancy, physicians providing prenatal care are in a strategic position to screen for partner abuse.