Psychological Distress Indicators Among Pregnant Women Reporting Intimate Partner Violence in Primary Care: Implications for Trauma-Informed Antenatal Care in Nigeria

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a significant public health concern in low-resource settings. Primary care antenatal clinics are often the first point of contact for pregnant women and provide important opportunities to identify both violence and related psychological distress. This study examined the prevalence of IPV during pregnancy, the reporting of psychological distress indicators (low self-esteem, sleep disturbance, and suicidal ideation) among women reporting IPV, and the association between IPV and timing of antenatal care (ANC) initiation in a low-resource primary care setting in Nigeria.