Sociodemographic associations of intimate partner violence against women in a rural area, El-Minia governorate, Egypt, 2010

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) directed towards women is a serious public health problem (Boyle et al. 2009). This population-based study investigated the prevalence of different forms of IPV against women and sociodemographic factors associated with them in a rural area, El-Minia. This was a cross-sectional population-based study that used a questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Face-to face structured interviewing was performed, and 1,502 currently and formerly married women, aged 18 to 65, participated. Bi- and multivariate analyses were carried out using SPSS program for Windows, version 11. The lifetime prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional violence was 30.3%, 7.3% and 49.3%, respectively. Factors independently associated with all categories of abuse included being separated/divorced/widowed, having three or more children, lacking social support, the woman's low educational level, the husband's low educational level and the husband having more than one wife. IPV against women is commonly occurring in rural El-Minia. There is an obvious need for preventive and treatment activities. Health care staff at all levels are in need of training in how to address victimized women and their partners.