Citation

Fernandez-Romero E, Espino Perez R, Aguilera Pena M, Pablo Vazquez MD, Galan Doval CJ, Recio Ramirez JM. Emergencias 2008; 20(3): 164-172.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, SEMES - Sociedad Española de Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Aim: The primary objective of the study was to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of victims and aggressors, the type of abuse and the defining circumstances of mistreatment in domestic violence cases attended in the Emergency Department a county hospital. The second aim was to determine gender-related differences between the victim and aggressor. Methods: Prospective, observational study of domestic violence victims who presented at the hospital in the period from March 15, 2003 to March 14, 2004. While being atended every patient completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and a medical-legal and clinical performance evaluation form. Statistical analysis of differential variables based an the gender of the victim and aggressor was performed. Results: A total of 58 persons were included, 43 (74%) reporting couple-related violence (39 against women), 2 (3%) ill-treatment to the elderly and 5 (9%) mistreatment of minors under 18 years of age. The mean age of the subjects was 35 +/- 14 years, 82.6% were female, predominantly married (48%), with low education (67%) and poor economic status. The aggressor was most frequently a 39-12 year old male (90%), who was the partner of the victim (74%) with a prolonged relationship (60%, > 6 years). The most frequent aggression was isolated physical injury (55%), previous aggressions had occurred in 65% and associated death threats in 36%. The aggressor more often had a more stable job (41%) than to the victim (19%; p < 0.05). Primary or lower education was more common (78%) in male aggressors compared to female agressors (32%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Violence against the women within the couple is the most frequent form of mistreatment. Commonly the aggressor is a middle-aged man, who had been cohabiting for a long time with the victim. The prevalence of continued mistreatment in the present study was very high. [Emergencias 2008;20:164-172]