Patterns of intimate partner violence: A study of female victims in urban versus rural areas of southeast Iran

Abstract

Background: Domestic violence is the most common form of violence against women with the most social, psychological, and economic consequences. Partner violence threatens the life of the family and society. Objectives: The current study aimed to assess domestic violence against pregnant and non-pregnant women in urban and rural populations. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 800 pregnant and non-pregnant women referring to urban and rural health centers in Kerman, Iran, in 2015 - 2016. The data were collected using a standardized violence questionnaire and analyzed using the One-way ANOVA for normal variables and non-parametric test (Kruskal-Wallis) was used for non-normal variables. Results: There were positive significant correlations between the spouse’s education level and physical violence (P = 0.003), sexual violence (P = 0.005), and injury caused by violence (P = 0.041). The residence place had no significant effect (P = 0.69) on the occurrence of physical violence. Rural women experienced significantly more psychological violence, sexual violence, and violenceinduced injury than urban women (P = 0). Generally, the overall violence was significantly higher in rural women than in urban women (P < 0.05). The most physical violence, psychological violence, sexual violence, and injury caused by violence were observed in rural non-pregnant women (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Rural women, especially non-pregnant ones, experienced greater violence than urban women. It suggests that pregnancy is a protective period that reduces the prevalence of violence. The spouse’ education level was a risk factor for committed violence. Therefore, a comprehensive program for the prevention of violence against women and screening of violence in all health centers in the south of Iran are proposed. © 2019, Author(s).