Frequency and Types of Intimate Partner Violence and Symptoms of Gynecologic Morbidity among Married Indian Women Open Access

Abstract

Abstract. This study examines the association between self-reported verbal, physical, and/or sexual
intimate partner violence (IPV) and self-reported symptoms of gynecologic morbidity
among 65,610 married Indian women (age 15-49). Data are taken from the 2005-2006
Indian National Family Health Survey-III. Regression models are fitted to identify
associations between three types of self-reported IPV (verbal, physical, and sexual) and
three symptoms of gynecologic morbidity (genital sores, abnormal vaginal discharge, and
sexually transmitted infections). IPV is uniquely measured by examining self-reported
physical, sexual, and verbal IPV, IPV frequency, and all combinations of IPV type. In
the year preceding the survey, 24% of women reported any IPV (10% verbal, 19%
physical, 6% sexual) and 10% reported at least one symptom of gynecologic morbidity.
The model results indicate that after controlling for other covariates, experiencing
physical, verbal, or sexual IPV is associated with an increased risk of gynecologic
morbidity. Women who experience all three types of violence are at the highest risk of
reporting each symptom (genital sore OR=4.57, abnormal discharge OR=3.24, STI
OR=2.49; all p-values<0.05). There is a call for health providers to recognize IPV and
provide treatment and resources for women who experience IPV. In addition, community
awareness of the harmful consequences of IPV needs to be increased to reduce IPV
tolerance.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION (1)
Intimate Partner Violence (2)
Objective (5)
Aims (5)
Study Setting: Women and IPV in India (5)

CHAPTER 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW (9)
Intimate Partner Violence (9)
- Risk Factors Associated with IPV (11)
- Health Outcomes or Associations with IPV (17)
Gynecologic Morbidity (24)
- Risk Factors of Symptoms of Gynecologic Morbidity (26)
Intimate Partner Violence and Gynecologic Morbidity (28)
- Evidence on the Link between IPV and Gynecologic Morbidity (28)
- Causal Pathways (39)

CHAPTER 3 - MANUSCRIPT (41)
Abstract (43)
Introduction (44)
Background (45)
Data and Methods (48)
Results (51)
Discussion (55)
Conclusion (59)
Works Cited (60)

CHAPTER 4 - DISCUSSION and PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS (72)
Discussion (72)
Public Health Implications & Recommendations (78)
1. Decrease the overall prevalence of intimate partner violence (79)
2. Support IPV victims and screen for symptoms of gynecologic morbidity (80)
3. Screen for IPV in Gynecologic Clinics (81)

REFERENCES (82)
SIGNATURE FOR NON-RESEARCH PROJECTS (91)

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Health Sciences, Epidemiology Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	gynecologic morbidity RTI Women intimate partner violence India STI domestic violence
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Stephenson, Robert, Emory University
Partnering Agencies	Does not apply (no collaborating organization)

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