Violencia y factores sociales en mujeres de la ciudad de Temuco / Social and familial determinants of anxiety and depressive symptoms in middle to low income women

Background: Among women, risk factors for mental disorders are violence, economical inequities and disadvantages and discrimination. Aim: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in women and to determine factors associated with them. Material and methods: A cross sectional study of a probabilistic sample of 422 women aged 34 years as a mean, living in a medium to low income neighborhood in Temuco, Chile. Mental health was assessed with the self reporting questionnaire (SRQ20), partner violence was evaluated using a 12 item scale and family conflict and violence was evaluated using the Conflicts Tactics scale. A logistic repression analysis was used to identify factors associated with mental health alterations. Results: Forty one percent of women had anxiety or depressive symptoms. The main associated factors with these symptoms were severe physical violence against children (odds ratio (OR) =14.3), sexual violence against women (OR =9.7), self perception of health (OR =4.5), alcohol abuse (OR =4.4), psychological violence during childhood (OR =3.2) and lack of family support network (OR =2.7). Unemployment and lack of a support network of relatives had an OR 3.3 for mental health alterations. The OR for psychological violence plus sexual violence was 18.5. The figure for psychological violence plus sexual violence plus a history of parental violence during childhood was 26.5. Conclusions: Forty one percent of this group of women had mental health alterations. There is a strong association between these alterations, family violence and socioeconomic factors.

Violencia conyugal en la ciudad de Temuco: un estudio de prevalencia y factores asociados / Conjugal violence in Temuco: prevalence and predictive factors

Background: Violence against women is a recognized public health problem in developed countries. There is increasing awareness on family violence in Chile, but there is scant information about its prevalence. Aim: To determine the prevalence of family violence against women in a population sample in Temuco, Chile. Material and methods: A standardized questionnaire about family violence was applied to a sample of 422 women at their homes. The questionnaire had six sections that included a list of violent behaviors from husbands or partners, a standardized instrument to assess mental health and alcohol consumption by the couple, history of child abuse, community support, type of employment and years of school education. Results: Forty nine percent of women reported psychological aggression, 13 per cent reported physical violence and 5.5 per cent, sexual violence. The presence of anxiety or depressive symptoms, being witness of violence between parents during childhood, a lower educational level, being a housewife, alcohol abuse and lack of community support were risk factors for violence among women. Among men, the history of child abuse, a lower education level, and alcohol abuse were identified as risk factors for violent behaviors. Conclusions: Conjugal violence is a significant mental health problem in Temuco, Chile

Maltrato infantil en la ciudad de Temuco: estudio de prevalencia y factores asociados / Child abuse in Temuco, Chile: prevalence and risk factors

Background: Child maltreatment is recognised as a significant health problem in developed countries. There is increasing awareness on family violence in Chile, becoming a health priority in the last five years, but there is scant information about its prevalence. Aim: Determine prevalence of child abuse, and associated factors in a population sample from Temuco, Chile. Material and methods: A standardised questionnaire was applied to a sample of 422 women at their homes. Instrument had questions about disciplinary practices by caretakers, a standardised questionnaire to assess mental health, as measures of risk and protective factors for violence Results: The prevalence of psychological aggression delivered by mothers or fathers was 17.5 per cent and 6.8 per cent respectively. The figures for corporal punishment delivered by mother or fathers were 42.3 per cent and 17 per cent respectively. Three percent of mothers and 1.2 per cent of fathers recognised severe physical abuse. Associated factors were mother impaired mental health, antecedents of child abuse in both parents, parents alcohol abuse and child emotional/behavioral problem. Conclusion: Child abuse is a extended significant problem in Temuco that requires multidisciplinary intervention programs