Introduction

physical domestic violence against pregnant women in reductions in corporate and classes in the developed and developing world. This is a flagrant violation of human rights and has many profound consequences for the woman and her fetus, including serious health and social problems (Neuberger, 1992; Gazmararian, 1996; Valladares, 2002; American Medical Association, 1992).

Although the literature on this issue has increased in recent years, studies in developing countries and those that use population data are scarce. In addition, previous studies vary considerably as regards the definition of domestic violence physical, sample size and composition, and reference periods (Vallandares, 2002; Gazmararian, 1995).

It is clear from research that physical domestic violence against women during pregnancy is a problem that transcends countries, but the prevalence varies from country to country another and even within countries. The majority of clinical studies in the United States of America, the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy ranges from 4% to 8% (Gazmararian, 1996; Gazmararian, 1995; Muhajarine and D’Arcy, 1999 Stewart & Cecutti, 1993). An analysis of the 1996-1998 monitoring and evaluation system risk pregnancy (prams) data from sixteen states of the United States estimated the overall prevalence of physical intimate partner violence during pregnancy was 5% (Saltzman, 2003); was most prevalent in Oklahoma (7%) and lowest in Maine (4%). Separate studies in North America and South Carolina showed that the prevalence in the States at 6% and 11%, respectively (Martin, 2001; Cokkindes, 1999).

A review of six studies from India, China, Pakistan and Ethiopia, the prevalence of physical intimate partner violence during pregnancy ranges from 4% 28% (Nasir and Hyder, 2003). Four of these studies were in hospital and revealed a prevalence of 4-22% (Leung, Leung and Lam, 1999; Purmar, 1999; Fikree & Bhatti, 1999; Faruqi, 1996), the other two were based on population, covering both urban and rural, and the reported prevalence of 10-28% (Nasir and Hyder, 2003; Deyessa, 1998 and International Clinical Epidemiologists Network, 2000). A multi-country, population-based study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) from which the data of this study are drawn, shows that the rate of physical spousal abuse of women during pregnancy in ten countries development ranged from 3-28%% (Garcia-Moreno, 2005).

Eighteen percent of economically disadvantaged women currently married, living with their husbands in six villages of Bangladesh has experienced physical partner violence for at least one pregnancy, 3% , the abuse worsened during pregnancy (Bates, 2004).

While some abused women first experience of physical abuse during pregnancy, most do not. A study of prenatal patients Brisbane revealed that 18% of women victims of violence more were first victims of violence during pregnancy (Taft, 2001). According to studies in Turkey (Karaoglu, 2006) and Canada (Stewart & Cecutti, 1993), however, approximately 86% of abused women were abused for the first time when they were not pregnant. In addition, an analysis of nationally representative longitudinal U.S. suggests that pregnant women are at greater risk of victimization than other pregnant women (Jasinki, 2001). In addition, the WHO study found that several countries in most developing countries studied, the occurrence of physical violence does not overlap with pregnancy (Garcia-Moreno, 2005).

research results vary on the advisability of abuse of women increases, decreases or stays the same during pregnancy. There is evidence that pregnancy can be a respite for some women victims of violence before (Jasinki, 2001; Bermon, 1991, Campbell 1998, Campbell 1995; Castro, Peek-Asa, & Ruiz, 2003, Martin, 1996 and Hedin, 2000), perhaps because of the stigma associated with physically injuring a pregnant woman (Karaoglu, 2006; Jasinki, 2001; Borenson, 1991 and Campbell, 1998). If this is the case, abuse of partners, than to replace the psychological violence such as insults, threats and humiliation (Karaoglu, 2006 and Martin, 2004). The reports of the WHO multi-country study that most women who have suffered abuse before and during pregnancy in all sites reported that during the last pregnancy when they have been victims of violence, the abuse was the same or a little less severe or frequent than before pregnancy (Stewart & Cecutti, 1993; Borenson, 1991, and Campbell, 1992 and Taggart, 1996). In contrast, other studies have found an escalation of violence during pregnancy (Garcia-Moreno, 2005). For example, 64% of Canadian women who were abused during pregnancy reported that their violence has increased during pregnancy (Stewart & Cecutti, 1993).

recent research, women who were abused during pregnancy had a history of violence (Glander, 1998; Horrigan, Schroeder, and Schaffer, 2000; Jasinki, 2004) . Five studies have shown that a history of abuse (ie, before pregnancy) is one of the best predictors of violence during pregnancy (Stewart & Cecutti, 1993, Castro, Peek-Asa, & Ruiz, 2003; Martin , 2004; McFarlance, 1992 and Su-Fang, 2004). In addition, several social, biological, economic, cultural, and environmental factors contribute to violence against women during pregnancy.

low socioeconomic status has always been identified as a risk factor for violence during pregnancy (Gazmararian, 1995; Purmar, 1999; Karuoglu, 2006, Su-fang , 2004 and Goodwin, 2000). Economically, women disadvantaged in both the U.S. and in developing countries have the highest rate of reported violence during pregnancy (Campbell, 2004), while women of higher incomes abuse experience groups, they may be less likely than others to disclose their abuse (International Network of epidemiologists, 2000). urban residence is a predictor of violence during pregnancy (Karaoglu 2006, and Su-Fang, 2004). In both developing and developed countries, the lower level of education of women is associated with physical violence during pregnancy (Muhajarin, 1999; Purmar, 1999; Farugi, 1996; Karaoglu, 2006 and Bohn, 2004) the level of schooling of the male partner is also a contributing factor (Leung, Leung and Lam, 1999; Faruqi, 1996 and International Clinical Epidemiologists Network, 2000). Finally, young pregnant women are more likely than those who are older to be victims of violence (Muhajarine, 1999, Stewart & Cecutti, 1993; Hedin, 1999 and O’Camp, 1994).

poor marital communication is one of the factors associated with domestic violence (Berns, Jacobson and Gottman, 1999 and Gordis, Margolin, and Vickerman, 2005). Studies on the relationship between couple communication or interaction and physical abuse during pregnancy are not numerous, but, according to at least two studies, poor couple communication is linked to violence during pregnancy in India and China (Purmar, 1999, Sun-Fang, 2004).

In Nigeria, most research work on physical intimate partner violence was based on the prevalence and patterns: only do we have any studies linking physical intimate partner violence for women during pregnancy. It is within this context that this study becomes important to fill these gaps in knowledge in the matter of physical domestic violence during pregnancy in Lagos metropolitan area of Lagos State, Nigeria.

Study Purpose <

The purpose this study is to investigate the relationship of the factors positively associated with physical spousal abuse of women during pregnancy in the metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria.

To achieve the objective of this study, the following research questions were answered:

1. To what extent the factors are positively correlated with women influence physical partner violence during pregnancy?

2. What is the relative contribution of each of these factors (demand of dowry, spousal communication participation, past abuse of religion, the husband’s level of education and age at marriage) to the prediction of violence physical partner of women during pregnancy?

3. There is no significant relationship between the determinants and physical intimate partner violence for women during pregnancy.

Methodology

Research design

This study used an ex post facto design. This view does not entail the manipulation of a variable. The event has already occurred and the researcher did not consider that what was already there.

participants

Participants in this study consists of all married women in Lagos metropolis whose age ranged between 21 years – 49 years and are currently pregnant. A total of two hundred and fifty were randomly selected among women attending antenatal clinics in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos and Ikoyi Maternity specialty hospital, all in Lagos metropolis. The choice of the Lagos area for study was chosen because it is an area where support services for abused women are currently available or could be established, populations are broadly representative of all social -economic and not perceived as having high levels of domestic violence.

All participants involved in the study can read, write and answer questions.

Instrumentation

Two main instruments were used in the Study:

1. Self-Reporting Questionnaire factors positively associated with physical spousal abuse of women during pregnancy. Women answered questions about age at marriage, the demand for dowry at marriage, the past history of violence, religion couples, husband level of education, and spousal communication level. It has 30 items rated on a 4-point scale Likert. Respondents indicated their level of agreement with each item by checking strongly agree (4) Agreement (3), disagree (2) and strongly disagree (1). He 0. 67 and 0. 73 in the internal consistency and reliability of revalidation, respectively.

2. Spousal Abuse Physical inventory: The women answered questions about the experience of physical aggression perpetrated by a partner during pregnancy was the dependent variable in the analysis. The questions on violence during pregnancy were modified versions of questions used by Campbell (1998) and those developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PRAMS model for the United States (1999). Psychometric analysis was conducted on issues of violence verify the relevance of behavioral elements included. The items had good internal consistency, indicating that the instrument has provided a reliable and valid measure of violence during pregnancy.

procedure for collecting data <

Participants the study were administered the two questionnaires with the help of two research assistants and staff of the hospital in the three hospitals involved in the study. The questionnaires were collected and evaluated data obtained from them were analyzed to answer research questions. In all, 250 copies of questionnaires were distributed and returned completed, giving a rate of return of 100%.

Data Analysis

The data were analyzed using regression analysis multiple chi-square (x2) for statistical relationship between the factors tested and physical spousal abuse of women during pregnancy.

Results:

1. Using a combination of independent variables to predict physical intimate partner violence for women during pregnancy.