Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Urban Clinics of North Central Nigeria

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a recognised risk factor for adverse maternal and foetal outcomes, yet population-level evidence from Nigeria's North Central zone quantifying these associations is lacking. This study examines the association between IPV exposure during pregnancy and adverse outcomes at urban antenatal clinics in Abuja (FCT), Benue, and Plateau States. A prospective cohort of 300 pregnant women was recruited at second-trimester booking, with IPV exposure assessed using the WHO Violence Against Women multi-country study instrument. Primary outcomes included preterm birth, low birth weight, and postpartum depression, documented at follow-up visits. IPV prevalence during the index pregnancy was 29.3 percent, with psychological violence most common (24 percent), followed by physical (16 percent) and sexual (9 percent). After adjusting for sociodemographic confounders, IPV exposure was independently associated with preterm birth (adjusted OR 2.4), low birth weight (adjusted OR 2.1), and antenatal depression (adjusted OR 3.8). Women disclosing IPV were significantly less likely to attend postnatal care. Screening uptake improved when IPV enquiry was introduced by trained midwives using a private, empathetic approach. The study provides North Central empirical data on IPV-pregnancy outcome associations and recommends universal IPV screening at antenatal booking using validated tools, with structured referral to social welfare and legal support services. Keywords: intimate partner violence, adverse pregnancy outcomes, North Central Nigeria, antenatal screening, preterm birth