Situation of domestic violence and health outcomes among married migrant women at reproductive age / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To examine the association between domestic violence and mental/general health status among married migrant women at reproductive age. Methods A total of 958 eligible married migrant women of reproductive age who were selected through community-based multiple-stage sampling method in one urban district in Shanghai and interviewed in April and May 2010. Chi-square test,Fisher’s exact test and unconditional logistic regression model were used for data analysis. Results The overall prevalence of domestic violence in husbands was 40.0%. Among 5 adverse outcomes related to general health and 6 adverse outcomes related to mental health, exposing to physical or sexual violence in the life time or in the previous year were associated with 2 adverse outcomes related to general health(including often in pain/discomfort and sleeping problems) and 4 adverse outcomes related to mental health(including often feeling nervous/tense/worry,easily getting frightened,crying more than usual,often feeling worthless on herself or being indifferent to the surroundings). Experience of control behavior was associated with 1 adverse outcome that related to general health (often in pain or discomfort) and 3 adverse outcomes related to mental health including easily get frightened,feeling worthless on herself or indifferent to the surroundings, Experience of emotional violence in the previous year was associated with pain or discomfort feelings. Compared with those who had never experienced any violence from husband after adjusting for potential influencing factors in logistic regression models,respondents who had ever experienced physical or sexual violence,control behavior or emotional violence,the numbers were respectively, presented 2.25-3.70 times,1.94-4.75 times and 2.12 times,more likely to report the above-mentioned adverse health outcomes. Conclusion Domestic violence was associated with general and mental health among married migrant women at reproductive age,especially physical or sexual violence and control behaviors.