Intimate partner violence and its association with maternal depressive symptoms 6–8 months after childbirth in rural Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV), a gross violation of human rights, ranges widely across the world with higher prevalence reported in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence related mainly to physical health shows that IPV has both direct and indirect impacts on women's health. Little is known about the impact of IPV on the mental health of women, particularly after childbirth. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of IPV experienced by women 6-8 months after childbirth in rural Bangladesh and the factors associated with physical IPV. The study also aims to investigate the association between IPV and maternal depressive symptoms after childbirth. DESIGN: The study used cross-sectional data at 6-8 months postpartum. The sample included 660 mothers of newborn…