Intimate Partner Violence and Help seeking behavior among Married Women in India Open Access

Abstract

Background : Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health concern with serious health consequences for its victims. Studies have found prevalence rates of 10 to 69% for IPV globally. IPV exposed women perceive barriers to help-seeking. This cross-sectional study explores help seeking behavior of currently married IPV exposed women from formal or informal sources with regard to type of violence perpetrated and individual, relationship level and socio- economic characteristics.

Methods : Data is obtained from National Health Family Survey India -3 (DHS 2005). Sample size consisted of currently married IPV exposed women in last 12 months (prior to survey) of the reproductive age (15-49 years). Weighted frequencies were calculated. Chi square tests and logistic regression analysis were conducted to understand the association between help seeking behavior and type of violence with covariates such as personal, relationship, and socio economic characteristics.

Results : From our overall sample size of 15,715 women [un-weighted], 3802 (~24%) women sought help, while 10762 (~68%) did not seek help for IPV. Help seeking behavior is associated type of violence in a fully adjusted model. For example, odds of seeking help is 2.8 times more for exposure to all three types of IPV compared to physical only (OR = 2.84 95% CI 2.392, 3.366). A higher proportion of help seekers than non- help seekers were employed .Women whose husbands had controlling behaviors and alcohol drinking habit were more likely to seek help. Help seeking varied significantly by women's education and region of residence.

Conclusions : Consistent with previous local studies, our national findings indicate low help seeking rates amongst women exposed to IPV in India. The wide variation in help seeking behavior may inform policies and interventions to prevent violence and to provide assistance to those who have been violated. Additional qualitative and formative research would better elucidate help seeking behavior of IPV exposed women in India.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction...............................................................1

Intimate Partner Violence.............................................................2

Help Seeking..............................................................................4

Research Purpose........................................................................5

Chapter 2: Literature Review.........................................................7

Intimate Partner Violence............................................................. 7

IPV in India............................................................................... 7

Risk Factors............................................................................... 8

Health Effects.............................................................................10

Help Seeking Behavior...................................................................11

Help Seeking in India.................................................................... 13

Chapter 3: Manuscript.................................................................. 15

Abstract.................................................................................... 15

Introduction................................................................................16

Background.................................................................................17

Methods.....................................................................................19

Data Analysis...............................................................................23

Results.......................................................................................23

Discussion and Conclusion..............................................................26

Works Cited:................................................................................28

Tables.........................................................................................31

Chapter 4: Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations.......................42

Discussion.....................................................................................42

Strengths......................................................................................45

Limitations.....................................................................................45

Conclusion and Recommendations...................................................... 46

References.....................................................................................47

Signature for Non-Research Projects...................................................52

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Intimate Partner Violence India married women Help seeking
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Rochat, Roger, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Emory University schools, faculty or affiliated programs International governmental organization (e.g., Agency for International Development, etc.)

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