Prevalence of intimate partner violence among migrant and native women attending general practice and the association between intimate partner violence and depression

Abstract

Objective. To explore the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) of women (aged >18 years) attending general practice and to assess the association between IPV and depression. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted within 15 general practices across Rotterdam. The study population was all women older than 18 years of age attending general practice. Women were screened for sociodemographic factors, IPV and depression using the Composite Abuse Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results. This study had a response rate of 63% (221 of 352 women). Two hundred and fourteen women were included in the study of whom 41% were migrants. Thirty per cent of the women attending general practise ever experienced IPV. Migrants experienced IPV 1.5 times more often compared to Dutch women. A significant association between IPV and depression was found. Half of the abused women were suffering from a depression. More than three-quarter of depressed women ever experienced IPV. Conclusions. IPV is common in women attending general practice and it is significantly associated with depression. To improve recognition of abused women, doctors should ask depressed women if they ever experienced IPV. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.