The dominant values and norms of gender in society, shared by abused women and the community, are responsible for the perpetuation of intimate partner violence.

Health care providers were categorized based on the extent to which they reproduced four"discourses about violence". These discourses influence their daily practice and are related to the informants' gender values and social positions. Most informants expressed their willingness to address the issue of domestic violence. CONCLUSIONS. Attention to and care for domestic violence is insufficient in health services; this may be due more closely related to a predominant discourse tolerating domestic violence among decision-makers, than to the attitudes of health care providers; the latter demonstrated greater awareness of women's rights.