title: Violence against women in Sierra Leone: frequency and correlates of intimate partner violence and forced sexual intercourse.
abstract: Violence against women is a significant public health problem which impacts women, men, and children. Little is known about the frequency or correlates of violence against women in Africa. In this cross-sectional study, we found that 66.7% of 144 women surveyed in a study of AIDS knowledge, attitude, and behaviours, report being beaten by an intimate male partner and 50.7% report having ever been forced to have sexual intercourse; 76.6% of women report either forced sex or intimate partner violence. Circumcised women were most likely to report intimate partner violence and forced sexual intercourse. To improve the health of women worldwide, violence against women must be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, School of Public Health, Columbia 29208, USA.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Coker
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Richter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011634:Public Health; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012807:Sierra Leone / Q000453:epidemiology; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health; D016387:Women's Health