Publication:

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

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.