Chalise Pratibha, Manandhar Pratibha, Infanti Jennifer Jean, Henriksen Lena, Pun Kunta Devi, Rishal Poonam, Skovlund Eva, Swahnberg Katarina, Schei Berit, Lukasse Mirjam
Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Nepal.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Jul 2;25(1):2186. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23472-y.
Domestic violence and food insecurity are significant global health challenges, particularly during pregnancy, when both can adversely affect maternal and child health. Food insecurity may occur independently or as a consequence of domestic violence, yet their relationship remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the association between exposure to domestic violence perpetrated by intimate partners or by family members and food insecurity during pregnancy.
This cross-sectional study used baseline data from 2129 pregnant women attending routine antenatal care as part of an ongoing randomized controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, gestational age between 12 and 22 weeks, and consent to participate. Colour-Coded Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview method was administered via a computer tablet for data collection. Domestic violence was assessed using the Nepalese Abuse Assessment Screen and food insecurity using a modified Household Food Insecurity Access Scale.
Of the participants, 12.9% reported food insecurity, and 6% reported experiencing some form of DV. Women reporting any domestic violence, domestic violence perpetrated by intimate partners only or by family members only had significantly higher odds of food insecurity after adjusting for socio-demographic, economic and obstetric factors [Adjusted Odds Ratio (95% CI): 2.5 (1.6-3.9), 3.3 (1.5-7.5) and 2.1 (1.2-3.5) respectively].
Domestic violence was strongly associated with food insecurity during pregnancy. Screening for domestic violence among food-insecure pregnant women and addressing underlying causes could mitigate risks to maternal and child health.
家庭暴力和粮食不安全是重大的全球健康挑战，尤其是在孕期，因为这两者都会对母婴健康产生不利影响。粮食不安全可能独立出现，也可能是家庭暴力的后果，但其关系仍未得到充分研究。本研究旨在调查亲密伴侣或家庭成员实施的家庭暴力与孕期粮食不安全之间的关联。
这项横断面研究使用了2129名接受常规产前护理的孕妇的基线数据，这些数据是一项正在进行的随机对照试验的一部分。纳入标准为年龄≥18岁、孕周在12至22周之间且同意参与。通过平板电脑采用颜色编码音频计算机辅助自我访谈法进行数据收集。使用尼泊尔虐待评估筛查工具评估家庭暴力情况，使用改良的家庭粮食不安全获取量表评估粮食不安全情况。
在参与者中，12.9%报告存在粮食不安全，6%报告经历过某种形式的家庭暴力。在调整了社会人口学、经济和产科因素后，报告任何形式家庭暴力、仅由亲密伴侣实施的家庭暴力或仅由家庭成员实施的家庭暴力的女性出现粮食不安全的几率显著更高[调整后的优势比(95%置信区间)：分别为2.5(1.6 - 3.9)、3.3(1.5 - 7.5)和2.1(1.2 - 3.5)]。
家庭暴力与孕期粮食不安全密切相关。对粮食不安全的孕妇进行家庭暴力筛查并解决潜在原因可以降低母婴健康风险。
