title: Magnitude, type and outcomes of physical violence against married women in Butajira, southern Ethiopia.
abstract: The seriousness in magnitude of physical violence globally, and lack of information on the dimensions and context of the problem in Ethiopia is very visible. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Meskanena Mareko Woreda, Southern Ethiopia, from November 1 to 30, 1995 to assess the magnitude, type and outcomes of physical violence against married women. A total of 673 married women were included in the study. The study found out the overall prevalence of physical violence against married women to be 45% and 10% in their lifetime and last three months, respectively. Two hundred and twenty nine (76%) and 39 (60%) of the lifetime and three month's physically abused women respectively, were slapped with fist. Four (1%) of the lifetime physically abused women have been abused using a knife or a gun. Among the 303 physically abused women, 161 (53%) reported minor and serious somatic injuries in their lifetime. One hundred and nine (46%) of them had acquired minor lacerations or scars; 22 (7%) had reported to have fracture or dislocation; and 5 (2%) had lost their vision. It is concluded that physical violence among married women is quite high and a serious problem. We recommended that policy makers need to urgently explore for appropriate strategies to curtail the problem of physical violence against married women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Deyessa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kassaye
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Demeke
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taffa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires