Methods: A systematic random sample of 481 pregnant women receiving their first prenatal services at 12 public hospitals in the four Eastern provinces of Thailand from April 2000 to August 2001 were selected in the study. They were assessed for abuse three times -- during the first, the second, and the third trimester of pregnancy -- by using the Abuse Assessment Questionnaire. The sociodemographic characteristics, family and social factors were collected during the initial interview by using a questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with abuse during pregnancy.

Findings: Of 481 women, 271 had experienced abuse during a year before pregnancy and 233 reported being abused during their current pregnancy. Among abused women, 218 (93%) were emotionally abused, 77 (33%) were physically abused, and 18 (8%) experienced sexual abuse. When abuse was assessed for levels of severity, it was found that mild and moderate levels of abuse were more prevalent than severe abuse. Most women were abused more than three times, 25% experienced violence four to six times, and 39% were abused seven times or more. Similar to findings from studies in other countries, most of the perpetrators were their husbands (93%). Factors associated with abuse during pregnancy were levels of education of husbands, unemployment of husbands and wives, having no marriage certificate, and living in a poor community. The important determinants of abuse during pregnancy were history of abuse before pregnancy, childhood abuse, and witnessing abuse in women's families.

Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest the need for routine screening of abuse during prenatal visit among Thai women in order to interrupt the existing abuse and to prevent its consequence.

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