Prevalence of sexualized violence among women. A population-based study in a primary healthcare district.
In order to estimate the prevalence of sexual and physical abuse, postal questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 251 adult women in a primary care district. Three yes/no-questions were asked on these topics, and a fourth inquired into effects on health. Space was left for open-ended answers in which yes-responders were invited to write about their experiences. A total of 175 women (70%) answered, and 25 (14%) of these reported abuse. Nine (5%) had experienced women battering. Thirteen (7.5%) reported sexual abuse as an adult, and 12 (7%) as a child. Many told their stories. Methodological shortcomings in this study might explain why the rates are somewhat lower than in other investigations. However, our figures verified that abuse of women is a common social phenomenon. They also confirmed abuse as a major health problem for women. One-third of respondents explicitly reported effects on health. Others, though negating such effects, described them in written narratives. In order to study this contradiction, in-depth interviews with abused women are recommended.
Risberg
G
G
Department of Family Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden. guarig97@student.umu.se
Lundgren
E
E
Westman
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden