Domestic and family violence and associated maternal and perinatal outcomes: A population-based retrospective cohort study

Journal article


Baird, Kathleen Marion, Phipps, Hala, Javid, Nasrin and Stephen de Vries, Bradley,. (2025). Domestic and family violence and associated maternal and perinatal outcomes: A population-based retrospective cohort study. Birth : Issues in perinatal care. 52(1), pp. 89-99. https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12863
AuthorsBaird, Kathleen Marion, Phipps, Hala, Javid, Nasrin and Stephen de Vries, Bradley,
Abstract

Background
Domestic family violence (DFV) is a global health concern affecting one in three women worldwide. Women are vulnerable to DFV throughout their life; however, pregnancy introduces an increased risk of experiencing DFV for millions of women and birthing people.

Methods
Routinely collected data from two hospitals in one local health district in New South Wales, Australia, were examined to determine the prevalence of DFV from 2010 to 2019. Demographics and outcome factors were compared by a reported history of DFV. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess for predictors of DFV and to assess DFV as a predictor of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Results
One percent of women (538/52,469) experienced DFV in the past year. Women experiencing domestic violence were more likely to be younger and have previous children, and had higher Edinburgh Depression Scores. These women were more likely to experience stillbirth (1.5% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.005). Maternal age < 25 years, cigarette smoking, alcohol use in pregnancy, mental health issues, and place of birth were associated with a recent history of DFV after adjusting for confounders. Recent DFV was associated with preterm birth and mental health issues but was not associated with admission to the neonatal nursery, small-for-gestational-age birthweight, or caesarean section after adjusting for confounders.

Conclusion
There was a relationship between DFV and poorer health outcomes for both women and their babies. This study highlighted that stillbirth is high among the population of women who experience DFV when compared to women who do not experience DFV.

Keywordsdomestic and family violence; health outcomes; newborn; pregnancy; stillbirth
Year2025
JournalBirth : Issues in perinatal care
Journal citation52 (1), pp. 89-99
PublisherWiley Periodicals LLC
ISSN0730-7659
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12863
PubMed ID39162071
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85201522211
PubMed Central IDPMC11829271
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range89-99
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online20 Aug 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted30 Jul 2024
Deposited14 Apr 2025
Additional information

© 2024 The Author(s). Birth published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.

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