Intimate partner violence among ever married Group-D women workers in a medical institution

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONIntimate partner violence (IPV) against women is the most prevalent yet relatively hidden form of violence against women and it is a global human rights and public health concern.1,2 Intimate partner violence is one of the most common forms of violence against women and includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and controlling behaviours by an intimate partner.3 Recent international estimates indicate that the percentage of women with a lifetime experience of IPV is as high as 71% (rural Ethiopia) and falls between 21% and47% in the majority of countries.2,3 According to NFHS3 data 37.2% of the ever married women experienced spousal violence in India. 4 Intimate partner violence describes physical violence, sexual violence; stalking and psychological aggression (including coercive acts) by a current or former intimate partner.5 IPV affects physical, mental and reproductive health. Health consequences can be fatal and end in suicides. Physical violence is defined as any act or conduct which is of such a nature as to cause bodily pain, harm or danger to life, limb or health, or an act that impairs the health or development of the person ABSTRACT Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common type of violence against women. It has adverse consequences on physical, mental and sexual health. Hence this study was conducted to study intimate partner violence among married Group -D female workers in a medical college campus, to document their help seeking for IPV and to assess their attitude towards intimate partner violence. Methods: A cross-sectional study among married Group-D women workers in a medical college campus. Of the total 73, 60 Group-D workers who gave informed consent were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. In addition, data on socio-economic characteristics was collected. Descriptive statistics, Chi -square test, Fischer's exact test was used for analysis. Analysis was done using SPSS software version 18. Results: The study showed that of 60 Groups -D women workers in a medical institution, 29 (48%) experienced life time IPV. Some socio-economic characters like type of family, type of marriage, husband's education and alcohol intake by husband were significantly associated with IPV. Almost all (97%) said that the wife beating was unacceptable. Only 41% sought help for IPV. Conclusions: IPV in Group-D married women of a medical institution was high with nearly 50% reporting IPV. Influencing factors such as type of family, type of marriage, educational status of husband and alcohol intake by husband were associated with IPV. The help seeking behaviour was not satisfactory.