Abused pregnant women were also two to three times more likely to suffer from post-natal depression, according to Kwong Wah Hospital obstetrics and gynaecology consultant Leung Wing- cheong, who was involved in the research.

The study group interviewed 3,245 women during the 32nd to 36th week of their pregnancies between July and April in seven public hospitals.

The survey, the results of which were released at a Violence in Hong Kong conference Friday, also revealed that 296 had been domestically abused in one way or another. Of these 262 had suffered from emotional abuse such as consistent verbal humiliation and control of physical or financial freedom, while 80 had experienced physical and sexual abuse during their pregnancies.

On a territory-wide basis, it appeared pregnant women from poorer districts were the chief sufferers with one-third of the cases coming from Eastern district, central Kowloon and the western New Territories.

By contrast, the generally more well-off west Hong Kong area had the lowest reported rate of violence.

Agnes Tiwari Fung-yee from the Department of Nursing Studies explained that pregnant women with low educational backgrounds, who consumed alcohol, were in debt or relied on welfare payments were more likely to be abused.

These women also shared other characteristics including unplanned pregnancy, chronic illness in the family and conflicts with the families of their spouses.

"The survey confirmed that emotional abuse can be more damaging then we previously realized," Tiwari said. "Intimate partner violence has an adverse effect on the mental health of pregnant women, but it's preventable."

She suggested universal screening to identify domestically abused pregnant women earlier, home visitations by professionals and personal self- empowerment to address the problem.

Social Welfare Department assistant director Anna Mak Chow Suk-har told the conference the government had yet to provide any services specifically for battered pregnant women.

"Services can be provided via contact points [family health service] to detect needy families," Mak said, adding the government still needed to conduct further studies on outreach services such as home visitations for pregnant women.

Domestic violence is a serious social problem in Hong Kong. It is estimated 14 percent of families have experienced incidents of husband-to-wife physical violence, according to the university's Department of Social Work and Social Administration.

Government statistics reveal the number of reported battered spouse cases increased from 1,009 in 1998 to 3,034 in 2002.

Another 1,219 domestic violence cases were reported in the first nine months of this year, representing a 34 percent increase when compared with the same period last year.

The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau is seeking final consultation on amendments to the Domestic Violence Ordinance.

Proposed amendments are expected to be tabled to the Legislative Council early next year.

Mak said the government is considering widening the ordinance to include ex-spouses, under a section that keeps abusive partners away for up to two years and give the authorities the power of arrest should the perpetrator breach the order.

However, critics say the government is too conservative and that the ordinance does not cover siblings and in- laws.

"[Domestic violence] is a family issue and not just a problem between couples," Tiwari said.