Kunta Devi Pun|Jennifer J. Infanti|Rajendra Koju|Berit Schei|Elisabeth Darj
Community perceptions on domestic violence against pregnant women in Nepal: a qualitative study
Kathmandu University|Norwegian University of Science and Technology|Norwegian University of Science and Technology|Kathmandu University|Norwegian University of Science and Technology|Uppsala University|Norwegian University of Science and Technology
globally knowledge health sector options respond domestic violence pregnancy increasing topic underinvestigated nepal gap affects provision adequate antenatal care services understanding factors influence womens willingness ability use available services critical know social norms community promote prevent women experiencing domestic violence seeking antenatal careto explore community perceptions domestic violence pregnant womena qualitative study conducted dhulikhel municipality involving 41 men 76 women 12 focus group discussions different gender family role separated groups interviews recorded transcribed verbatim analyzed using content analysis socioecological model used theoretical framework illustrate linkages individual relationship community societal influences perceptions domestic violence pregnancythe community recognized different forms violence pregnancy threatening womens physical psychological health presenting obstacles seeking antenatal care types culturally specific violence considered particularly harmful pressure give birth sons denial food forcing pregnant women hard physical work pregnancy may leave daughtersinlaw vulnerable domestic violence extended families culture violence normalized endurance family reconciliation promoted individual health perceived cause women tolerate accept situation participants suggested actions strategies address continuing violence indicated societal transition toward increased awareness changing attitudes practicesdomestic violence pregnancy needs addressed different levels nepal women often dependent others access health care social norms perceived shifting toward reduced acceptance violence women restrictions womens life options movement decisionmaking authority still considered impediments pregnant womens health