Intimate partner violence and maternal characteristics as predictor of anxiety and depression among pregnant women in Nigeria.

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to assess the influence of maternal characteristics and intimate partner violence on the level of anxiety and depression experienced by the pregnant women Method: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to study 394 pregnant women in two selected primary healthcare centres in Nigeria using a systematic sampling technique based on the requisite sample size. Data was collected using the World Health Organization’s Multi-Country Tool on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores. The collected data were analysed using SPSS Windows software version 21. Furthermore, the results were summarised using descriptive and inferential statistics with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: . Pregnant women who experienced intimate partner violence were 3.9 times more likely to have anxiety symptoms (adjusted OR 3.91, 95% CI 1.41–10.874; p = 0.009). Maternal characteristics associated with depression include tertiary education, second-trimester pregnancy, middle age (25–34 years), and pregnancy with more than two children. Conclusion: This study shows a strong link between intimate partner violence and anxiety levels among pregnant women. Therefore, healthcare professionals should assess for the history of intimate partner violence during antenatal clinic and provide care accordingly