Citation

Cao YP, Zhang YL, Sun SQ, Guo GY, Li YC, Yuan D, Yang SC, Zhong S, Peng YW, Li LJ, Zhang GN, Wang GQ, Xiao M, Tian JP, Jiang LH, Shi JW, Zhu YH, Huang Z, Xiao JW, Luo XS, Wang GJ, Huang GP, Li JG. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2006; 27(3): 200-203.

Affiliation

Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Zhonghua yi xue hui)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16792883

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) in Hunan. METHODS: Using a multi-stage sampling strategy, 9451 households involving 32 720 persons in urban, rural and industrial areas in Hunan, China were studied. Multiform clue investigation and face-to-face interviews were combined to investigate the prevalence of DV. RESULTS: A lifetime prevalence of DV was reported by 1533 households (16.2%). A total of 1098 households (11.6%) reported at least one incident of DV in the previous year. Both lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DV varied significantly by geographic setting (P < 0.01). The lifetime prevalence abuse rates were: spousal 10.2%, child abuse 7.8%, and elder 1.5%. With regard to household structure, the lifetime prevalence of DV was highest among those remarried families (21.0%), followed by married couples with one child and extended families with several generations living together (20.1% and 20.0%, respectively). The highest rate of spousal abuse was found among remarried families (14.7%), while child and elder abuse was most prevalent among extended families (12.4% and 4.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that although the prevalence of DV in Hunan was modest compared to Western countries, it remained a serious public health problem affecting over 1 in 10 households. Furthermore, the prevalence of various types of DV varied by geographic setting and family structure, suggesting that diverse geographic setting and family constellations carried different risk and protective features.

Language: zh