This study describes the prevalence of violence during pregnancy and examines the association between the experience of violence since the beginning of pregnancy and the prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms while taking into account immigrant status. Cross-sectional study including 5,162 pregnant women attending Montreal hospitals for antenatal care was conducted, with 1,400 being born outside of Canada. CES-D scale was used to evaluate depression at 24-26 weeks of pregnancy. The Abuse Assessment Screen scale was used to determine the frequency and severity of violence since the beginning of pregnancy. Relationship with abuser was also considered. All modeling was done using logistic regressions. Threats were the most frequent type of violence, with 63 % happening more than once. Long-term immigrant women reported the highest prevalence of all types of violence (7.7 %). Intimate partner violence (IPV) (15 %) was most frequently reported among the poorest pregnant women. Strong associations exist between more than one episode of abuse and depression (POR=05.21 [3.73; 7.23], and IPV and depression [POR=05.81 [4.19; 8.08]. Immigrant status did not change the associations between violence and depression. Violence against pregnant women is not rare in Canada, and it is associated with antenatal depressive symptoms. These findings support future development of perinatal screening for violence, follow-up, and a culturally sensitive referral system. © Springer-Verlag 2012.

immigrant status Pregnancy violence Depression

rating scale depression immigrant social psychology prenatal care Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Quebec risk human birthplace violence priority journal Spouse Abuse human relation antenatal depressive symptom Cross-Sectional Studies Abuse Assessment Screen scale Young Adult social status cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent Canada Emigrants and Immigrants female pregnancy prevalence Article partner violence frequency analysis adult pregnant woman threat disease association Postpartum Period gestational age