The Prevalence of Physical Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Systematic Review With Implications for Probable Violence-Caused Brain Injury Among Child Bearers

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) persists as a cause of short-term, long-term, and chronic health consequences. The elevated risk of IPV during pregnancy and the postpartum period (P-IPV) is commonly attributed to increased demands for child bearers and intimate partners. P-IPV may impact the health of the child bearer, developing fetus, and post-birth child. The prevalence of physical P-IPV remains under-explored. The primary objective of the study is to describe the prevalence of physical P-IPV during the period from pregnancy through 24 months postpartum. Medline (PubMed), Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched (2000-2023) using the PICO model, MeSH terms, and Boolean operators. Studies with intimate partners exposed to physical IPV during pregnancy and the postpartum period that described the prevalence of IPV were included. Fifty-five studies were included. The sample-weighted average prevalence of physical P-IPV was calculated as 14.7% (range 0.6%-52.4%, n = 55). The sample-weighted average prevalence of physical IPV during pregnancy was calculated as 4.4% (0.6%-42.5%, n = 48). The sample-weighted average prevalence of physical IPV during the postpartum period was calculated as 10.3% (2.2%-52.4%, n = 16). The prevalence of physical P-IPV remains a looming threat to child bearer, fetal, and early childhood health. Given the >80% prevalence of IPV-caused brain injury (IPV-BI) from physical IPV, brain injury is likely occurring during pregnancy and the postpartum period and must be considered. Further investigations should be undertaken to uncover the true prevalence and impact of BI during this timeframe and mitigate the risk of P-IPV.

Keywords: brain injury; domestic violence; intimate partner violence; postpartum; pregnancy; prevalence.