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Intimate partner violence against Palestinian women in Gaza strip: Prevalence and correlates
Suha Baloushah1, Raziyeh Maasoumi2, Farideh Khalajabadi Farahani3, Khalid Jamal Khadoura4, Aymen Elsous5
1 Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Science International Campus, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
3 Population Studies and Reproductive Health Department, National Population Studies Comprehensive Management Institute, Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Epidemiology, Public Health School, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
5 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Professions, Israa University, Gaza Strip, Palestine
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Farideh Khalajabadi Farahani
Department of Population and Health, National Institute of Population Research, No. 5, 2nd St., Pakistan St., Shahid Beheshti Ave., Tehran
Iran
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_498_19
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Context: Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects gravely the victims and is resulting in negative physical and psychological consequences. Aims: This paper aimed to determine the prevalence of IPV against women in Gaza strip and associated factors. Moreover, to explore women's seeking behaviors to help. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods and Materials: Community internet-based survey was conducted using the Heart Insult Threat Scout questionnaire and the reporting behavior of respondent to violence act. Statistical Analysis Used: A number of 517 ever married women responded and data were entered and analyzed using SPSS software version 23. Results: About 517 women participated. Of which, 23% (119/517) reported exposure to any types of IPV. Multivariate logistic regression showed factors associated with IPV were as follows: husbands who are drug user (OR = 27.577, CI95%: 5.153–147.591; P < 0.001), husband exposure to violence in childhood (OR = 9.174, CI95%: 4.753–7.727; P > 0.001), and family with a special needs child (OR = 2.956, CI95%: 1.131–8.607; P < 0.05). Approximately, two-thirds of the victims tended to keep silent toward violence and dealt with it as a private and family issue; hence, they hesitated to communicate with others or seek any help to protect themselves. Conclusions: About 23% from the study participants experience violence in their life time. Factors associated with IPV are husband's drug abuse, having a child with special needs, and husband's childhood experience of violence. Qualitative researches are needed to understand the women experience to violence and sociocultural barrier for disclosure.
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