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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 1/2013

01-03-2013

Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Effects: A Population-Based Study among Married Women in Karachi, Pakistan

Authors: Tazeen S. Ali, Ingrid Mogren, Gunilla Krantz

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is recognized all over the world for its association with mental health problems in women. In Pakistan, such violence occurs commonly, but detailed information on mental health effects is scarce. The purpose of this study is to focused on married couples in urban Karachi to investigate mental health effects associated with physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated by husbands towards wives. Disclosure rates and health care-seeking behaviour were also investigated.

Method

This cross-sectional study involved 759 women between the ages of 25 and 60 years, selected using a multi-stage random sampling technique. The women were interviewed by trained community midwives using a structured questionnaire.

Results

In the total population of women, mental symptoms were prevalent. Women subjected to any form of violence reported, however, considerably poorer mental health than unexposed women. A statistically significant difference for almost all of the studied health parameters persisted even after controlling for socio-demographic factors. The strongest associations were found for suicidal thoughts and physical violence (OR 4.41; 3.18–6.12), sexual abuse (OR 4.39; 3.17–6.07) and psychological abuse (OR 5.17; 3.28–8.15). The interviews revealed that only 27% of the women subjected to violence had disclosed this to anyone, in most cases to their parents.

Conclusion

The findings in this study highlight that the violence women have to face contributes to the development of multiple forms of psychological stress and serious mental health problems. Women’s restrictive life circumstances seriously hamper women’s empowerment. Reliable health surveillance system and health care services are needed to serve abused women. Policy initiatives focused on IPV and gender inequality in Pakistan should be initiated.
Footnotes
1
Pakistan Women Lawyers Association is a non-governmental organization that supports women’s legal rights.
 
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Metadata
Title
Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Effects: A Population-Based Study among Married Women in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors
Tazeen S. Ali
Ingrid Mogren
Gunilla Krantz
Publication date
01-03-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-011-9201-6

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