PREVALENCE, INSTIGATING FACTORS AND HELP SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF PHYSICAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMONG MARRIED WOMEN OF HYDERABAD, SINDH.

Background and Objectives: Domestic violence against women is highly prevalent but under reported issue having social, legal, health and economic implications. It needs to be identified and addressed in order to decrease the sufferings of women. Our objective was to find out prevalence, instigating factors and help seeking behavior of physical domestic violence against married women.

Methods: A total of 378 married women who were attending Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Liaquat University Hospital from January 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013 for different obstetrical & gynaecological problems were randomly selected and interviewed. After informed consent, required information was collected on predesigned performa including demographic details, prevalence, instigating factors, help seeking behavior for physical domestic violence.

Results: About 31%(120) of women reported lifetime physical domestic violence. Husbands and in-laws were perpetrators in 70% (84) and 30% (36) cases respectively. Wives being disobedient and making arguments were the most common instigating factors for violence followed by husband’s drug addiction, extra marital relationship and infertility. It was severe enough to require medical care in 24%( 29) cases. Only 2% (2) women sought social and legal aid.

Conclusion: Domestic violence was quite common among married women, however help seeking was minimal. There is need to identify and address this menace effectively.