Prevalence and Effects of Violence Against Women in a Rural Community in Minia Governorate, Egypt

• NCJ Number: 236882
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2011 Pages: 1521-1527
• Author(s): Sahar R. Habib, M.D.; Enas K. Abdel Azim, M.D.; Irene A. Fawzy, M.D.; Nashwa N. Kamal, M.D.; Amr M. El Sherbini, M.D.
• Date Published: November 2011
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the Annual Conference of the Cairo University Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department, April 19, 2010, in Cairo, Egypt.

Annotation

This study was carried out to investigate prevalence and the characteristics of domestic violence (DV) against women in a rural area in Minia governorate, Egypt, as well as its physical and psychological consequences.

Abstract

Seven hundred and seventy-two women were interviewed. Sociodemographic data were collected; the WHO questionnaire was used to identify the abuse; the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IIIR (SCID) to detect psychiatric disorders. Abused females constituted 57.4 percent of the total sample. There were significant relationships between DV and low education, low income, higher number of children, and husband's education. Psychiatric disorders occurred in 18 percent of the sample. There were statistically significant relationships between psychological and physical abuse of women and the occurrence of psychiatric disorders. In conclusion, DV against women was related to various negative health outcomes, and it is recommended to be given its real importance in both the Forensic Medicine Council and in psychiatric assessment. (Published Abstract)