Factors associated with domestic violence in the Lahu hill tribe of northern Thailand: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Domestic violence significantly affects physical and mental health, particularly among children, women, and the elderly. Living in certain family environments could lead to victimization by domestic violence, especially among families with a poor socioeconomic status, such as the Lahu hill tribe people in Thailand. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of and determine the factors associated with domestic violence among Lahu children, women, and the elderly. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted of participants who belonged to the Lahu hill tribe and lived in 20 selected villages in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. A validated questionnaire was used to collect personal information and information regarding experiences related to domestic violence in the past year from children (aged 5–15 years), women (aged 16–59 years), and the elderly (aged 60 years and over). A binary logistic regression was used to detect associations between the variables. Results A total of 646 participants were recruited into the study, specifically, 98 children aged 5–15 years, 430 women aged 16–59 years, and 118 elderly people. Children who smoked (AOR = 8.70; 95%CI = 1.27–59.45) had greater odds of experiencing domestic violence than children who did not smoke. Women who had a role as a family member (AOR = 1.59; 95%CI = 1.02–2.50), used alcohol (AOR = 3.36; 95%CI = 2.27–4.99), lived in a family with financial problems (AOR = 4.01; 95%CI = 2.52–7.66), and lived with a family member who uses alcohol (AOR = 2.87; 95%CI = 2.20–5.63) had greater odds of suffering domestic violence than women who did not share these characteristics. The elderly who used alcohol (AOR = 3.25, 95%CI = 1.08–9.81), lived with a family member who uses alcohol (AOR = 3.31; 95%CI = 1.26–7.34), or lived in a family with financial problems in the past year (AOR = 2.16; 95%CI = 1.16–8.77) had greater odds of facing domestic violence than the elderly who did not have these characteristics. Conclusion Family financial problems and substance use are associated with domestic violence in Lahu families in Thailand. Health interventions to reduce the use of substances, including training programs to respond to domestic violence, should be promoted for Lahu children, women, and the elderly.

Effect of intimate partner violence in pregnancy on maternal and perinatal outcomes at the Korle Bu teaching hospital, Ghana: An observational cross sectional study

“…3,4 Recognized risk factors for domestic violence during pregnancy include: young age, no/low education, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, alcohol consumption by partner, and couple being HIVpositive. [5][6][7][8] Previous studies have reported association between domestic violence during pregnancy and late prenatal booking, fewer prenatal visits, preterm labor, depression, pre-eclampsia, and late presentation during labor. 6,[9][10][11][12] Others have also associated domestic violence during pregnancy with threatened abortion, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, increased rate of operative delivery and maternal death.…”

“…[5][6][7][8] Previous studies have reported association between domestic violence during pregnancy and late prenatal booking, fewer prenatal visits, preterm labor, depression, pre-eclampsia, and late presentation during labor. 6,[9][10][11][12] Others have also associated domestic violence during pregnancy with threatened abortion, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, increased rate of operative delivery and maternal death. 9 Two earlier studies in Ghana over a decade ago reported prevalence of sexual and physical abuse during pregnancy as 1.4%-1.7% and 7.3%-16.8%, respectively, but did not relate these to any pregnancy outcomes.…”

“…9 Two earlier studies in Ghana over a decade ago reported prevalence of sexual and physical abuse during pregnancy as 1.4%-1.7% and 7.3%-16.8%, respectively, but did not relate these to any pregnancy outcomes. 6,13,14 The aim of this study was to determine maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with domestic violence among women who delivered at Korle-Bu Teaching hospital in Accra, Ghana.…”

“…Recognized risk factors for domestic violence during pregnancy include: young age, no/low education, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, alcohol consumption by partner, and couple being HIV‐positive 5–8 . Previous studies have reported association between domestic violence during pregnancy and late prenatal booking, fewer prenatal visits, preterm labor, depression, pre‐eclampsia, and late presentation during labor 6,9–12 .…”

“…Others have also associated domestic violence during pregnancy with threatened abortion, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, increased rate of operative delivery and maternal death 9 . Two earlier studies in Ghana over a decade ago reported prevalence of sexual and physical abuse during pregnancy as 1.4%–1.7% and 7.3%–16.8%, respectively, but did not relate these to any pregnancy outcomes 6,13,14 …”