Fatemeh Abdollahi
Both intimate partner violence (IPV) and children’s poor growth and development.are growing public health epidemic. The role of adverse psychological exposures of IPV on children’s poor growth and development risk is poorly investigated. This study determined the prevalence of different types of IPV and its association with children’s growth and developmental problems. In a descriptive-analytical study, 596 mothers of one-yearold children referring the primary health centers in Gonbad-e- Kavoos city were recruited (2018). The data were collected using the World Health Organization Domestic Violence, Ages and Stages Questionnaire-12 and the characteristics related questionnaire. BMI Z-Score was categorized in three grades; thin (Z<-2), normal (-2≤Z<1) and overweight-obese (Z≥1). The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square test and regression.The prevalence of physical, psychological and sexual IPV was 7.4%, 29.5% and 2.4%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight, obesity and developmental problems among children at age one were 13.3%, 8% and 2% respectively. There was a significant relationship between the fathers’ occupation and both IPV and children’ delay in growth. There was no significant difference between BMI Z-Score and developmental disabilities in the children in women exposed and not exposed to all types of IPV. The psychological IPV was common. Both IPV and children’s growth problems were influenced by the father’s occupation as an index of socio-economic status. Although exposure to IPV was not associated with higher risk for poor child growth and development, unintended consequences of such exposure may affect children through adulthood, and monitoring them is recommended in long term.
