Citation

Ram A, Victor CP, Christy H, Hembrom S, Cherian AG, Mohan VR. Indian J. Community Med. 2019; 44(4): 362-367.

Affiliation

Department of Community Health, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine, Publisher MedKnow)

DOI

10.4103/ijcm.IJCM_84_19

PMID

31802801

PMCID

PMC6881899

Abstract

CONTEXT: Domestic violence in Indian setting has five major components: emotional abuse; physical violence; sexual violence; honor killing; dowry-related abuse; and death. AIMS: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of domestic violence and 3 of its components - emotional abuse, physical violence, and sexual violence among women in the age group of 15-49 years in Kaniyambadi block, rural Vellore, Tamil Nadu and to determine the risk factors of domestic violence. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A community-based cross-sectional study among women between the ages 15 and 49 years at the rural setting of Kaniyambadi block, Tamil Nadu.

RESULTS: Prevalence of all forms of domestic violence among women was 77.5%, and forty percent women were classified as having ever been subjected to severe domestic violence. Prevalence of physical violence was 65.8%, sexual abuse was 17.5%, and emotional abuse was 54.2%. Alcohol consumption by husband (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.37; 1.35, 14.18), controlling behavior by family member (AOR 8.07; 2.47, 26.37), and woman's employment (AOR 4.33; 1.27, 14.77) were statistically significant determinants of domestic violence. Three-fourth (73.1%) of the women felt that being subjected to domestic violence has affected their physical and mental health.

CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of domestic violence in our community needs to be addressed as it has tacit implications on socioeconomic well-being, physical and mental health of a woman, her family, and thereby, society as a whole.

Copyright: © 2019 Indian Journal of Community Medicine.

Language: en

Keywords

Determinants; South India; domestic violence