Prevalence and profile of pregnant women who suffered physical violence

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence and the profile of pregnant women victims of physical violence. Methods: Quantitative, cross-sectional study, conducted with 105 pregnant women followed in four Family Health Units at the city of Jequié, Bahia. The data were collected through questionnaires from the Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS); Tolerance, Annoyed, Cut down and eye opener (T-ACE) and sociodemographic. Results: The prevalence of pregnant women who suffered physical violence was 2,9%. These were 21-26 years of age, race/ skin color black (black and brown) and suffered aggression on the head predominantly by the partner who used alcohol. Conclusion: The prevalence of pregnant women victims of violence was not high, but it is an issue that causes many negative impacts on the woman's and baby's health. Thus from the profile of the women surveyed, it is recommended that specific actions could be carried out in order to at least minimize the occurrence of this problem.