Prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among married women in an urban slum in South India

Introduction: Domestic violence (DV) is a public health problem with an estimated global prevalence of 35%. The prevalence rate of spousal domestic violence in Telangana is 36.4% which is higher than the national average of 25.3%. Despite being a punishable offense, DV is still on the rise in India....

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Main Authors: Biranchi N Das, Anu Mohandas, Bhavani Killi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2022-01-01
Series:Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2022;volume=11;issue=3;spage=1006;epage=1011;aulast=Das
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author Biranchi N Das
Anu Mohandas
Bhavani Killi
author_facet Biranchi N Das
Anu Mohandas
Bhavani Killi
author_sort Biranchi N Das
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Domestic violence (DV) is a public health problem with an estimated global prevalence of 35%. The prevalence rate of spousal domestic violence in Telangana is 36.4% which is higher than the national average of 25.3%. Despite being a punishable offense, DV is still on the rise in India. Hence, there is need to assess its extent and determining factors for planning of remedial measures. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of domestic violence and its associated factors among married women of an urban slum in Telangana. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 18- to 45-year-old married women in urban slums of Telangana. The sample size was 200. Multistage random sampling was done. Data collection was done using questionnaire with information regarding socio-demographic details, types of domestic violence, help-seeking behaviours, awareness, and outcome. The victims were directed towards medical and legal help, and further counselling. Descriptive analysis was done to find proportion of domestic violence. The associated factors were found using Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: Domestic violence was reported by 70.5% of the study participants. Physical abuse (67%) was the main offense followed by emotional abuse (38.5%). Though 89% of women were aware of domestic violence being punishable by law, only 9.5% of women sought help. Woman's older age (COR = 2.015, 95% CI: 1.088-3.733, P = 0.026), illiteracy (COR = 2.181,95% CI: 1.097-4.3381, P = 0.026), longer married life (COR = 1.961, 95% CI: 1.008-3.815, P = 0.047), husband's early exposure to abuse (COR = 4.439, 95% CI: 1-19.705, P = 0.034) and alcohol intake (COR: 1.995, 95% CI: 1.038-3.838, P = 0.037) were found to be significant factors in the bivariate analysis. Husband's exposure to abuse in childhood (AOR = 5.326, 95% CI: 1.163-24.400, P = 0.031) and alcohol intake (AOR = 2.206, 95% CI: 1.109-4.389, P = 0.024) were found to be independent predictors. Conclusion: Domestic violence is highly prevalent in urban slums of south India. A woman's age, education, duration of marriage, husband's early exposure to abuse, and alcohol intake are determining factors. Awareness programs need to be conducted regarding helplines, medical and legal aspects. All domestic violence cases should be registered, and social, psychological and legal support be provided to the victim.
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spelling doaj.art-0e76e39fb0024ae798e8c72114a8f7322022-12-22T04:30:19ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Family Medicine and Primary Care2249-48632022-01-011131006101110.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1133_21Prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among married women in an urban slum in South IndiaBiranchi N DasAnu MohandasBhavani KilliIntroduction: Domestic violence (DV) is a public health problem with an estimated global prevalence of 35%. The prevalence rate of spousal domestic violence in Telangana is 36.4% which is higher than the national average of 25.3%. Despite being a punishable offense, DV is still on the rise in India. Hence, there is need to assess its extent and determining factors for planning of remedial measures. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of domestic violence and its associated factors among married women of an urban slum in Telangana. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 18- to 45-year-old married women in urban slums of Telangana. The sample size was 200. Multistage random sampling was done. Data collection was done using questionnaire with information regarding socio-demographic details, types of domestic violence, help-seeking behaviours, awareness, and outcome. The victims were directed towards medical and legal help, and further counselling. Descriptive analysis was done to find proportion of domestic violence. The associated factors were found using Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: Domestic violence was reported by 70.5% of the study participants. Physical abuse (67%) was the main offense followed by emotional abuse (38.5%). Though 89% of women were aware of domestic violence being punishable by law, only 9.5% of women sought help. Woman's older age (COR = 2.015, 95% CI: 1.088-3.733, P = 0.026), illiteracy (COR = 2.181,95% CI: 1.097-4.3381, P = 0.026), longer married life (COR = 1.961, 95% CI: 1.008-3.815, P = 0.047), husband's early exposure to abuse (COR = 4.439, 95% CI: 1-19.705, P = 0.034) and alcohol intake (COR: 1.995, 95% CI: 1.038-3.838, P = 0.037) were found to be significant factors in the bivariate analysis. Husband's exposure to abuse in childhood (AOR = 5.326, 95% CI: 1.163-24.400, P = 0.031) and alcohol intake (AOR = 2.206, 95% CI: 1.109-4.389, P = 0.024) were found to be independent predictors. Conclusion: Domestic violence is highly prevalent in urban slums of south India. A woman's age, education, duration of marriage, husband's early exposure to abuse, and alcohol intake are determining factors. Awareness programs need to be conducted regarding helplines, medical and legal aspects. All domestic violence cases should be registered, and social, psychological and legal support be provided to the victim.http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2022;volume=11;issue=3;spage=1006;epage=1011;aulast=Dasdomestic violenceslumsouth indiaspousal abuse
spellingShingle Biranchi N Das
Anu Mohandas
Bhavani Killi
Prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among married women in an urban slum in South India
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
domestic violence
slum
south india
spousal abuse
title Prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among married women in an urban slum in South India
title_full Prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among married women in an urban slum in South India
title_fullStr Prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among married women in an urban slum in South India
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among married women in an urban slum in South India
title_short Prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among married women in an urban slum in South India
title_sort prevalence and associated factors of domestic violence among married women in an urban slum in south india
topic domestic violence
slum
south india
spousal abuse
url http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2022;volume=11;issue=3;spage=1006;epage=1011;aulast=Das
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AT anumohandas prevalenceandassociatedfactorsofdomesticviolenceamongmarriedwomeninanurbansluminsouthindia
AT bhavanikilli prevalenceandassociatedfactorsofdomesticviolenceamongmarriedwomeninanurbansluminsouthindia