FACTORS FOR INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV) IN URBAN PAKISTANI FAMILIES

Abstract

Objective: The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among women seeking healthcare services and identification of factors associated with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in this study sample.

Research Design: Cross-sectional research

Place and Duration of Study: Karachi, November 2007 to September 2008

Hypotheses:  There would be high rates of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among women seeking healthcare services. Women would report physical abuse, psychological abuse and sexual abuse. Age level, education, employment status, family income, family system, years of marital relation, number of children, nature of parental marital relations, cigarette smoking, childhood verbal and physical abuse of both husband and wife would be associated with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).

Method: The study sample comprised of 500 women who came to seek healthcare from family health clinics and general O.P.D. of some large hospitals of Karachi-Pakistan. 

Measures: Karachi Domestic Violence Screening Scale Urdu Version (KDVSS-U), Demographic Sheet.

Statistics: Descriptive Statistics and Pearson Correlation were applied for statistical analysis.

Results: Findings demonstrated high prevalence rates of IPV.  Some specific demographic and social factors including low levels of education, poor employment status, childhood physical and verbal abuse, absence of parental support, and violence in family of origin found to be associated with the presence of IPV. Findings illustrated that women were at risk of IPV regardless of their age, employment status, years of marital relationship, number of children, and type of family system.  Women’s education, however, was found to be a protective