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This study aims to explore the effects of intimate partner violence during pregnancy (p-IPV) on postpartum depression among women in central Vietnam. p-IPV was defined among 150 women aged 18 years and older in the third trimester of their pregnancy. Baseline data was collected between February and May 2019, and then those women were followed up to 3–5 months after childbirth to assess depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data collection was completed in September 2019. Relative risk was estimated to identify the effect of p-IPV on maternal postpartum depression. Twenty-one women reported IPV during pregnancy. In the follow-up assessment, 8 of 21 mothers exposed to p-IPV and 23 of 127 mothers not exposed to p-IPV developed postpartum depression. p-IPV including emotional and physical violence were increased the risk of postpartum depression. The findings support evidence that p-IPV increases the risk of postpartum depression among women in central Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent systematic reviews have emphasized the need for more research into the health and social impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the Asia-Pacific region. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 2099 young adult students in 8 medical universities throughout Vietnam. An anonymous, self-report questionnaire included the World Health Organization ACE-International Questionnaire and standardized measures of mental and physical health. Three quarters (76%) of the students reported at least one exposure to ACEs; 21% had 4 or more ACEs. The most commonly reported adversities were emotional abuse, physical abuse, and witnessing a household member being treated violently (42.3%, 39.9%, and 34.6%, respectively). Co-occurrence of ACEs had dose–response relationships with poor mental health, suicidal ideation, and low physical health–related quality of life. This first multisite study of ACEs among Vietnamese university students provided evidence that childhood adversity is common and is significantly linked with impaired health and well-being into the early adult years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common worldwide and associated with maternal mental disorders and adverse child health outcomes. Research in this field in Vietnam is still nascent, although some substantial studies have emerged in recent years. The objective of this review was to estimate the prevalence of IPV during pregnancy in Vietnam and examine its impact upon women and children at an early age. Methods We searched seven bibliographic databases (from 1970 to 2018), browsed grey literature sources, and consulted experts. Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias with using the Newcastle – Ottawa Quality Assessment Tool for non-randomized studies. A meta-analysis was conducted using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect approach to estimate pooled effect (odds ratio) of Prenatal IPV (P-IPV) on maternal Common Mental Disorder (CMD). Results The selection process produced eight eligible studies of 4598 participants. Six studies were pooled. The estimated proportions of IPV during pregnancy ranged from 5.9% to 32.5% depending on the form of IPV. P-IPV is strongly associated with greater risk of both mental disorders and adverse birth outcomes (preterm labor and low-birth-weight). The meta-analysis revealed that women exposed to P-IPV have a 4-fold increased risk for prenatal CMD compared to non-abused peers (OR = 3.69, 95% CI (2.51–5.42), I2 = 36%). Women exposed to physical P-IPV had five-fold increased odds of premature labour, OR = 5.5, 95% CI (2.1–14.1) and almost six-fold increased odds of having low-birth-weight neonates, OR = 5.7, 95% CI (2.2–14.9). Discussion To improve mother and child well-being in Vietnam, multifaceted health policies should include routine screening for IPV and mental disorders in the antenatal care system. Taken together, the evidence supports calls for national programs in Vietnam to eliminate gender inequality and promote awareness of the serious harms caused by IPV. Highlights • A substantial number of women in Vietnam experience prenatal inter-partner violence (P-IPV), ranging from 5.9% to 32.5%. • Women exposed to P-IPV have a 4-fold increased risk for prenatal common mental disorder (CMD), (OR 3.69, 95% CI (2.51–5.42). • Women exposed to physical P-IPV had five-fold increased odds of premature labour, OR 5.5, 95% CI (2.1–14.1) and having low-birth-weight babies, OR 5.7, 95% CI (2.2–14.9). • Systematic, evidence-based programs to respond to P-IPV are necessary in Vietnam to reduce the risk of maternal CMD and adverse birth outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]