IJCM_61A: Prevalence of Domestic Violence Among Married Women in urban and rural field practice area of RIMS, Raichur

Abstract

Background: Domestic violence (DV), being a widespread public health issue affecting women globally, is still being neglected and women remain silent sufferers and suffer from physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health consequences which further affects well-being of her family. It also leads to increased risk of child abuse. Women being considered as weaker sex, gender bias and male dominance resulted in mistreating women and victimizing them and remains unreported in many areas. Objective: To estimate prevalence of domestic violence among married women. €¢ To compare prevalence of domestic violence in urban and rural areas. €¢ To find out factors associated with prevalence of domestic violence. Methodology: Cross sectional study, 3 months duration in married women residing in field practice areas of RIMS, Raichur. Least prevalence found in a study having 28%. Using the formula N = Z2pq/ d2 sample size calculated as 257. Almost population of UHTC, RHTC and PHC are similar, equal number of samples (86) taken from all 3 areas. Community consent obtained from representatives, Home visits were made, informed oral consent obtained, face to face interview done using pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical analysis done using SPSS, means and standard deviations calculated. Chi square test used to calculate the associations. Results: Prevalence of DV is 33.3% and 16% of them are currently experiencing domestic violence. 36.4% of rural participants have experienced DV compared to 21.2% in urban participants & these differences were statistically significant as indicated by p value of 0.037. Factors such as religion, caste, type of family, education of female, spousal education, spousal occupation, alcohol consumption by husband, smoking habit of husband, history of parental abuse in spousal family, etc.. are associated with domestic violence. Conclusion: We conclude that domestic violence is mostly done by husband followed by mother-in-law and most common solution offered was to advice husband.