Exploring the linkages between intimate partner violence and antenatal care access among women in Ghana


Gervin Ane Apatinga, University of Saskatchewan

Empirical literature underscores the role of intimate partner violence in delaying womens access to antenatal care. However, scant scholarly attention has been dedicated to exploring these complex linkages, especially in Ghana, where male partner violence is a longstanding issue. Using data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (n=5167), this study aims to improve our understanding of the linkages between intimate partner violence and antenatal care access among Ghanaian women. Employing negative binomial Poisson and multinomial regression to explore relationships, key findings highlight the significant impact of intimate partner violence on antenatal care access. Results from the Poisson regression show the log expected counts of the number of antenatal care visits decreased among expectant mothers with a history of male sexual violence or physical abuse. Also, sexual or physical violence impacted the timing of antenatal care attendance, indicating delays in accessing care in the first trimester. Highlighting the impediment that intimate partner violence poses to antenatal care access, the study underlines its critical implications for maternal health outcomes. It emphasizes the importance for effective policies and programs to mitigate violence and enhance antenatal care access in support of SDG target 5.2.1 — eliminating violence against women and girls — and SDG 3 — ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. Our research is closely aligned with the Gender-Based Violence in the Global South cluster, with a particular focus on the prevalent issue in sub-Saharan Africa. Patriarchal sociocultural norms and gender inequalities create a context in which male partners frequently perpetrate violence against their female counterparts, exposing women to intersecting risks, including challenges in accessing adequate antenatal care. To effectively address male partner violence, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of this complex issue, including the linkages between such violence and antenatal care access. This understanding is crucial for developing integrated, cross-sectional intimate partner violence prevention programs. In the global community, where intimate partner violence is widespread, sharing ideas, approaches, and actions becomes vital in addressing this issue across diverse sociocultural and economic settings.

Non-presenting authors: Eric Y Tenkorang, Memorial University; Clifford Semabiah, Memorial University

This paper will be presented at the following session: