Risk markers of severe psychological violence against women: a WorldSAFE multi-country study.

Author: Ramiro, Laurie S., Hassan, F., Peedicayil, A.

Source:
Injury Control & Safety Promotion, Jun2004, Vol. 11 Issue 2, p131, 7p, 4 charts
This study was an attempt to determine the prevalence and significant risk factors associated with severe psychological violence in 6 WorldSAFE sites. The respondents were 3975 women aged 15-49 years and residing in selected urban areas in Chile, Egypt, the Philippines and IndiUsing a standard instrument translated locally, psychological violence was measured using items indicating the following domains: verbal abuse, fear and separation. A woman who had experienced severe psychological violence had admitted that she had experienced any of the above-mentioned behaviors '3 or more times' in her lifetime (lifetime prevalence) or with her current partner during the past 12 months (current prevalence). The results showed a lifetime prevalence of severe psychological violence ranging from 10.5% of women in Egypt to about 50% in Chile and Trivandrum, IndiVerbal abuse was most common among the different behavioral indicators. A woman's mental health status and partner alcohol use were found to be the common significant risk factors. Recommendations were made to facilitate efforts to address severe psychological violence in developing countries