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We investigated the effects of physical, psychological, and sexual violence on the health status of women attending antenatal clinics at two tertiary hospitals in rural Thailand. We asked 421 pregnant women at 32 weeks gestation or later to complete a survey questionnaire. Participants reported high rates of psychological abuse (53.7%); threats, acts of physical abuse, or both (26.6%); and sexual violence (19.2%). Women abused during pregnancy had poorer health compared with nonabused women, in role emotional functioning, vitality, bodily pain, mental health, and social functioning. Given the high prevalence of violence and poor health status, routine screenings by maternity services is urgently required. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of psychological, physical, and sexual violence perpetrated by an intimate partner, and the effects on health status of postpartum women who gave birth at two tertiary hospitals in northeastern Thailand. Participants were recruited during pregnancy and interviewed at 6 weeks' postpartum. Measures included the Short Form 12-Item Health Survey, Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory, and Severity of Violence against Women scale. Participants reported high rates of psychological abuse, threats and/or acts of physical abuse, and sexual violence. Abused postpartum women had lower well-being than non-abused women on all Short Form 12-Item Health Survey subscales, except the general health subscale. These women also had significant poorer health compared to non-abused women, in social functioning and mental health. The study findings suggest that routine screening for intimate partner violence by maternity services is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory descriptive study is part of a larger program that investigated the prevalence and frequency of different forms of intimate partner violence during pregnancy and the immediate post-partum period among Thai women and the associated maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Two case studies are used to illustrate the different experiences of victims, as well as the barriers to seeking help and the strategies used to manage their circumstances. The study highlights the neglect of women's rights by police and community leaders, the attribution of blame to women, and their perceived sense of powerlessness and a lack of knowledge about the available resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]