Background and objectives: Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a critical public health concern that adversely affects the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of women, as well as pregnancy outcomes. Despite global recognition of IPV as a human rights violation and health hazard, limited research exists on its impact on quality of life among pregnant women in South-Western Nigeria. This study assessed the perceived impact of intimate partner violence on the quality of life of pregnant women attending Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed among 132 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at EKSUTH. Purposive sampling was used to select respondents. Data were collected using structured, validated questionnaires adapted from standardized instruments including the WHOQOL-BREF and IPV assessment tools. The questionnaire comprised five sections assessing socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence and nature of IPV, effects on health and well-being, social effects and coping mechanisms, and support services. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 and presented using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, tables, charts). Hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistics at a significance level of p0.05), accepting the null hypothesis. However, a significant relationship was found between demographic profile (employment status) and experience of IPV (χ²=10.212, df=3, p<0.05), rejecting the null hypothesis. Conclusion: Intimate partner violence is highly prevalent among pregnant women attending EKSUTH, with profound negative impacts on physical health, mental well-being, social relationships, economic stability, and overall quality of life. Emotional and psychological abuse are more common than physical violence, yet often overlooked in screening. Despite awareness of support services, utilization remains low due to financial dependence, fear, shame, and lack of trust. The findings underscore the urgent need for routine IPV screening during antenatal care, enhanced nurse-led interventions, community-based sensitization, and multidisciplinary collaboration involving healthcare providers, social workers, legal aid services, and policymakers to reduce IPV and its consequences on maternal and child health.
Oke et al. (Tue,) studied this question.