Intramarital violence and fetal loss
The reported prevalence of intimate-partner violence to African women has been up to 50%. Such violence has been linked with adverse pregnancy outcome, particularly fetal loss. No studies have been performed previously on the effect of intramarital violence on recurrent fetal loss in Africa or elsewhere. Now a study in Cameroon has confirmed the link between such violence and single or recurrent fetal loss.
Data from the 2004 Cameroon Demographic Health Survey were analysed. A total of 2,562 women provided information about physical, emotional or sexual violence inflicted by a husband. This violence was reported by 1,307 women (51%). Among these women, there was a 50% increase in having had one or more episodes of fetal loss. All forms of violence were associated with fetal loss, but the greatest association was with emotional violence (public humiliation or threats to the mother or her family), which was associated with a 70% increase in risk. It was estimated that reductions of spousal violence by 50%, 75% or 100% would potentially avert 17%, 25% and 33% of single or recurrent fetal loss.
Much fetal loss in Cameroon is due to intramarital violence. Preventive measures are needed as are studies in developed countries.
Alio AP, et al. Spousal violence and potentially preventable single and recurrent spontaneous fetal loss in an African setting: cross-sectional study. Lancet 2009;373:318–324; Garcia-Moreno C. Intimate-partner violence and fetal loss. Ibid:278–279 (comment).