Citation

Kazzaz YM, AlAmeer KM, AlAhmari RA, Househ M, El-Metwally A. Int. J. Public Health 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guards - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00038-019-01303-3

PMID

31628522

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to review the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of domestic violence (DV) in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: Systematic review utilizing PRISMA guidelines conducted on articles focusing on research related to the epidemiology of domestic violence in Saudi Arabia between 2009 and 2017 were identified through electronic databases (PubMed and Embase) and supplemented by cross-referencing and local journal searches.

RESULTS: Eleven studies were conducted in six cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, Madina, Taif, Arar, and Al-Ahsa). Several screening questionnaires were utilized; four studies used the WHO multi-country study questionnaire and found that the lifetime prevalence of DV ranged between 39.3 and 44.5%. The most frequently reported risk factors for DV were the level of education of both the victim and the spouse and alcohol or drug addiction of the spouse.

CONCLUSIONS: One in every three women in Saudi Arabia is a victim of domestic violence. Strategies to reduce risk factors, prevent DV, care for victims, and mitigate the effects of DV must be adopted by health care agencies in Saudi Arabia.

Language: en

Keywords

Abuse; Domestic violence; Intimate partner violence; Saudi Arabia; Violence