Abdel Aziz Thabet
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of domestic violence, among pregnant women attending primary health care clinics in Gaza Strip. Method: Descriptive analytic, cross sectional design. The sample consisted of 400 pregnant women from the five governorates of Gaza Strip. Tools of the study included socio-demographic characteristic questionnaire and Conflict Tactics Scale. Results: The study showed that psychological assault reported by pregnant women was 6.11%, physical assault was 2.8%, physical injury was 1.3%, and sexual assault was 0.4%. However, psychological assault was significantly higher in women living in camps than women living in cities or villages, women in age group of 36 and above years, uneducated women, uneducated husbands, and having 8 and more children. Moreover, physical assault was significantly more in uneducated women and in women in families with 8 and more. While, physical injury was significantly more in women with uneducated husbands and families with 8 and more children. Clinical implications: Our study showed that pregnant Palestinian women exposed to physical violence and psychological violence. More specific programs should be established in Gaza to enable women of using new coping strategies with difficulties. Also, training programs including primary health care professional such physicians, nurses, social service experts, and midwives should be provide to enable them of early detection of victims of violence and provide social support to these women.
