Objectives. - To determine the types and prevalence of domestic violence (DV) among patients who attend an OB/GYN clinic in China; to explore the risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV), and the health consequences.
Design. - Epidemiological prevalence, comparative, face-to-face survey using WHO multi-country violence against women questionnaire.
Setting. - An outpatient OB/GYN clinic at a major teaching hospital in Fuzhou, Fujian Province in China.
Participants. - Six hundred women (mean age: 31 years), majority were married (87%) and had own income (74%).
Results. - The prevalence of psychological, physical and sexual abuse is 57%, 38% and 16% in lifetime, and 36%, 21% and 12% in year prior respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified 9 demographic, behavioral, and social-cultural risk factors for lifetime IPV, and 8 risk factors for the year prior IPV. Women who experienced IPV had significant worse mental health status and were more likely to be treated for STDs than women who had never experienced IPV. The most frequently occurred injuries were bruises, punctures and abrasions for women who experienced IPV.
Conclusion. DV is very prevalent in China. It includes all language, manner, and actions that violate one's physical body, sense of self, and sense of trust. It disrupts a person's life and health with profound consequences. Researchers need to address the unique cultural risk factors and health consequences of DV in China.
Learning Objectives: Following the presentation, participants will be able to: 1. have a clear understanding how prevalent domestic violence is in China 2. identify seven major demographic, behavioral and social-cultural risk factors contributing to DV towards women in China. 3. describe the health outcomes of DV against Chinese women in comparison to the US.
Keywords: Domestic Violence, International Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.