Abstract:
A cross sectional survey was conducted among a community based sample of 750 evermarried women in the 18-49 years age group using standard methodologies and instruments
recommend by the World Health Organization (WHO). The translated and pre-tested
Women's Health and Life Events questionnaire was administered by trained interviewers.
The validity and reliability of this instrument has been established by community surveys in
15 sites in 10 countries. The households included in the survey were chosen by multi-stage
cluster sampling and one eligible woman was randomly chosen from each household. The
response rate was 97 percent and the sample was representative of the population 'of evermarried females in the Western province. The lifetime prevalence of physical violence
among ever-married women in the 18-49 years age group of the Western province was 34.4
percent (Cl, 30.9 - 37.9) and prevalence of current physical violence (within last 12 months)
was 8.8 percent (Cl, 6.7 10.8). The lifetime prevalence of severe physical violence (acts of
aggression with the potential to cause injury) was higher, physical violence 14.7 percent , CI
, 12.1 - 17.3 percent ). The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence 5. 0 percent (-CI, 3.4 -
6.6) and of current sexual violence was 4.2 percent (Cl, 2.7 -5.7) .Only 15 percent of the
abused report being physically injured and 74 present of the injured had visited healthcare
institutions. A large percentage of the severely abused women (41 percent reported poor
general health and showed more symptoms of emotional distress. The abused were also
more likely to have suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicides compared to non-abused.
More than 70 percent of the abused and non-abused women believed that a 'good wife obeys
husband even if she disagrees' affirming the subordinate position of women in the family.
More than 68 percent of the abused and non-abused also believed that family problems
should only be discussed with the family.
