Global achievement of maternal health-related sustainable development goals targets among women exposed to intimate partner violence

ABSTRACT: Health-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) aims to ensure healthy lives. This study investigates the influence of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) on achieving maternal health related SDG3 targets among exposed women globally. METHODOLOGY: This study used secondary data analysis of Domestic Violence Modules from the latest Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 40 countries. IPV was defined by women ever exposed to emotional, physical, severe, or sexual violence from the spouse. Achieving maternal health related SDG3 targets among women was measured by: Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel; Antenatal care (women received antenatal care eight or more times from any provider); and the need for family planning satisfied with modern methods. The influence of IPV was estimated through adjusted OR after controlling for socioeconomic factors using logistic regression. RESULTS: Exposure to IPV was among one-third of the women (37%) mainly physical (29%) and emotional (24%). Adjusted OR with 95%CI for the influence of IPV on women’s utilization of skilled birth attendants was 0.81 (0.79–0.83)); having eight or more antenatal care visits 0.61 (0.59–0.63); and the needs for family planning with modern methods satisfied was 0.85 (0.83–0.87). Achievement of maternal health services was among 57% of the women. Women exposed to IPV were less to achieve maternal health services (50% VS 61%) with adjusted OR 0.71; 95%CI: 0.70–0.73 and it was not confounded by the positive effect of socioeconomic factors. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION: Exposure to IPV had a statistically significant negative influence on all the maternal health related SDG3 services among women. Programs working in facilitating the achievement of the SDGs related maternal health targets should include prevention of women’s exposure to IPV and support for those who are exposed to it.