Dr. Michael Boah

Background Low birth weight (LBW) rates are high in the northern region of Ghana, as is tolerance for intimate partner violence (IPV). However, the relationship between the two incidents has not been established. This study assessed the magnitude of IPV against pregnant women and its association with LBW in the northern region of Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 postnatal women from five public health care facilities in the Tamale Metropolitan Area, northern Ghana. Data were collected electronically during face-to-face interviews. Validated methods were used to determine IPV exposure during pregnancy and birth weight. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the independent association between prenatal exposure to IPV and LBW. Results Of the 402 women, 46.5% (95% CI: 41.7, 51.4) experienced IPV during their most recent pregnancy. Of these, 34.8% were psychologically abused, 24.4% were sexually abused, and 6.7% were physically abused. Prenatal IPV exposure was found to be significantly associated with birth weight. Low birth weight was twice as likely among exposed women as among unexposed women (AOR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.26, p < 0.05). Low birth weight risk was also higher among women with anaemia in the first trimester (AOR = 3.47; 95% CI: 1.47, 8.23, p < 0.01), but was lower among women who made at least four antenatal care visits before delivery (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.89, p < 0.05) and male newborns (AOR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.49, p < 0.001). Conclusion and recommendation IPV during pregnancy is prevalent in the research population, with psychological IPV being more widespread than other kinds. Women who suffered IPV during pregnancy were more likely to have LBW than those who did not. It is essential to incorporate questions about domestic violence into antenatal care protocols. In particular, every pregnant woman should be screened for IPV at least once during each trimester, and those who have experienced violence should be closely monitored for weight gain and foetal growth in the study setting to avert the LBW associated with IPV.

Background Globally, intimate partner violence (IPV) epitomizes a greater proportion of the violence experienced by women, with more than a third of women (41.3%) in sub-Saharan Africa reporting IPV during their lifetime. This study examined the association between exposure to IPV and the nutritional status of women and their children in Nigeria. Methods The study analyzed secondary data obtained from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Data on women’s lifetime experience of psychological, physical, and sexual IPV, as well as demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, were collected. We used regression models to determine the association between exposure to IPV and women and child nutrition indicators. A weighted sample of 4,391 women aged 15–49 years and 2,145 children 6–59 months were analyzed. Results The lifetime experience of IPV in the study was 35.31% (95% CI: 33.35, 37.33), 30.43% (95% CI: 28.54, 32.38) experienced psychological IPV, 19.43% (95% CI: 17.79, 21.19) experienced physical IPV, and 6.03% (95% CI: 5.12, 7.09) experienced sexual IPV. After adjusting for a range of characteristics, maternal lifetime exposure to IPV was associated with underweight (ARRR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.91) and overweight/obesity (ARRR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.58). We also found that, children whose mothers experienced IPV were less likely to be underweight compared to their counterparts (ARRR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.96). Conclusions Overall, IPV against women, particularly psychological, physical, and sexual IPV, is common in Nigeria and has an association with the nutritional status of affected women and their children. According to the study, women with a lifetime experience of IPV were more likely to be overweight. On the other hand, affected women’s children were less likely to be underweight. A far-reaching effort is required to curb IPV against women, particularly policies, programs, and laws are needed to protect women and children from the unfavourable effects of IPV to reduce the prevalence and impact of such violence.

Background Maternal mortality remains a major challenge to health systems in low and middle-incoming countries. Some pregnant women develop potentially life-threatening complications during childbirth. Therefore, home delivery is a precursor for maternal mortality. In this study, we aimed at not only estimating the percentage of deliveries occurring at home and examining the factors associated with home delivery, but we also explored the reasons for home delivery among women in rural Ghana. Methods The study was conducted among mothers with delivery experience in selected communities in the Builsa South district located in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide respectively. A total of 456 mothers participated in this study. Regression models were used in the quantitative analysis whereas a thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the qualitative data. Results Of the 423 mothers in the quantitative research, 38.1% (95% CI: 33.5–42.8) delivered their index child at home. In adjusted analysis, women who were not exposed to information (AOR = 13.64, p<0.001) and women with 2 (AOR = 4.64, p = 0.014), 3 (AOR = 4.96, p = 0.025) or at least 4 living children (AOR = 9.59, p = 0.001) had higher odds of delivering at home. From the qualitative analysis, the poor attitude of nurses (midwives), lack of, and cost of transportation, cost of delivery kits, and traditional beliefs and practices were cited as reasons for home delivery. Conclusion Despite the government’s efforts to provide free maternal care services to women in Ghana, a significant proportion of rural women still deliver at home due to other ‘hidden costs’. Addressing poor staff attitude, transportation challenges, and negative traditional beliefs and practices through awareness creation may contribute to improving health facility delivery by rural pregnant women in Ghana.

The incidence of chronic diseases, which are significant contributors to maternal deaths and adverse new-born outcomes, is increasing among women of reproductive age in northern Ghana. This emerging health issue raises serious concerns about the potential exacerbation of adverse birth outcomes in this setting, given that it is one of the regions in the country with a high incidence of such outcomes. We investigated the risks of preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and concurrent PTB and LBW among women with preexisting chronic conditions prior to conception in the Tamale Metropolis of northern Ghana.