A study of intimate partner violence among females attending a Teaching Hospital out-patient department

Abstract

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is considered a public health problem with physical and psychological consequences. Aims To describe the prevalence of IPV among married females attending the outpatient department of North Colombo Teaching Hospital and their attitude towards abuse. Methods A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire on physical, verbal, sexual and emotional abuse was given to the first 50 consenting married females attending the outpatient department on each day for five consecutive days. Confidentiality of responses was assured and adequate privacy was provided for the questionnaires to be completed. Results Of the 242 participants 98(40.5%) reported some form of abuse by their male partner. Prevalence of abuse reported was physical abuse 19%, verbal abuse 23%, emotional abuse 23% and sexual abuse 7%. A quarter (26.9%) of those inflicted physical violence sought medical treatment for the injuries but only two of them divulged the reason for the injury to medical staff. More than three quarters (79%) of those abused were in the relationship for more than ten years. The majority of the females surveyed believed that violence by the male partner should be tolerated. Conclusions IPV is a common problem that is poorly divulged to medical personnel. Attitudes regarding IPV have to be changed in order to reduce abuse significantly.

Identification of Associated Factors and Prediction for the Level of Intimate Partner Violence against Women in Sri Lanka

“…Similarly, Abramsky et al (2011) revealed that there was a strong relationship between problematic alcohol use by both husbands and wives and IPV. In many studies, alcohol consumption by husbands was identified as a major factor that causes a positive impact on partner violence behavior against women (Kuruppuarachchi et al, 2010;Agumasie et al,2013;Laeheem, 2016).…”

Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Associated Factors in the Care of Women Subjected to Intimate Partner Violence in the Western Province of Sri Lanka

“…Stigmatizing attitudes among nurses towards women survivors who seek hospital care have also been reported from Sri Lanka (Jayasuriya et al, 2011). Patriarchal attitudes and gender biases internalized by women themselves are evident in the Sri Lankan society, with many women believing that they should tolerate IPV (Kuruppuarachchi et al, 2010). Further, a survey of 1658 men and 653 women between the ages of 19-49, in four districts in Sri Lanka, revealed more gender inequitable attitudes among females than males; for example, more female than male participants believed that one should consider whether a rape victim had a "bad reputation" (De Mel et al, 2013).…”

2^nd Prof. HVJ Fernando Oration - Gender based violence and the forensic medical practitioner

“…Some survivours use gender norms as the basis to justify being beaten by the husband. Study done at Teaching Hospital Colombo North, by Kuruppuarachchi (2010), revealed that "Majority of the females believed that the violence by the male partner should be tolerated. [6] "Male is expected to be more aggressive and more sexually active".…”