Citation

Alzahrani TA, Abaalkhail BA, Ramadan IK. Saudi Med. J. 2016; 37(1): 96-99.

Affiliation

Department of Family Medicine, Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail. Turkialzahrani@yahoo.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Riyadh Al-Kharj Hospital Programme)

DOI

10.15537/smj.2016.1.13135

PMID

26739983

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among female patients, age 18-60 years, attending primary health care centers (PHCCs) and to measure its determinants, and reporting behavior.  METHODS: A cross-sectional study design using validated, translated, and self-administered questionnaire among 497 Saudi female patients  attending PHCCs in Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  (KSA) from January to February 2015 was employed. A 2-stage probability sampling was adopted for selection of PHCCs in the first stage, and then participants in the second stage.  RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of IPV during the last year was 11.9%. Predictors of IPV related to abused women included divorced status and divorced parents; while those related to abusers (husbands) included widowed parents, exposure to violence in childhood, and alcohol or drugs addiction. Most of the abused wives (56%) talked regarding their IPV to their families, their husbands' families (15.2%), or their friends (11.8%); while only a minority (3.3%) complained to the police or to a judge, and no one reported this to a family physician, or to women protection agency.

CONCLUSION: One out of 10 women is a victim of IPV in Taif, KSA. Intimate partner violence is significantly associated with a number of victims and abuser-related psychosocial factors, the detection of which might help screening for individuals at risk.

Language: en