Physical Violence During Pregnancy and Associated Factors of Mental Distress Among Women in Yangon Region, Myanmar: A Secondary Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Violence against women during pregnancy is a critical human rights issue and a significant global public health concern. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of physical violence during any pregnancies and mental distress by ever-pregnant women, investigate the association between physical violence and mental distress, and explore additional factors linked to mental distress. Material and Methods: This secondary analysis of household-based cross-sectional study included 1,045 ever-pregnant women aged 18-49 years from Yangon Region, Myanmar, interviewed between October and November 2016. Physical violence and mental distress were assessed utilizing the standardized Demography and Health Survey questionnaire and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used for association between physical violence and mental distress. Results: We found that 6.4% (95% CI 5.1% to 8.1%) of the women had experienced physical violence during pregnancy and 34.1% (95% CI 31.3% to 37.0%) had suffered mental distress. We identified no significant association between physical violence during pregnancy and mental distress. Women residing in an urban area, having more than three children, experiencing family debt, having poor health status, having a partner with controlling behavior, and having a partner who consumed alcohol were significantly associated with mental distress. Conclusion: One in 16 women in Yangon, Myanmar, had experienced physical violence during a pregnancy, while approximately one-third of the women had suffered from mental distress. It is a problem of serious concern in many countries to screen pregnant women for risk factors associated with mental distress during their antenatal care and prepare the appropriate mental health services for them.