Domestic violence and its mental health correlates in Indian women.
BACKGROUND
Domestic spousal violence against women has far-reaching mental health implications.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the association of domestic spousal violence with poor mental health.


METHODS
In a household survey of rural, urban non-slum and urban slum areas from seven sites in India, the population of women aged 15-49 years was sampled using probability proportionate to size. The Self Report Questionnaire was used to assess mental health status and a structured questionnaire elicited spousal experiences of violence.


RESULTS
Of 9938 women surveyed, 40% reported poor mental health. Logistic regression showed that women reporting 'any violence' -- 'slap', 'hit', 'kick' or 'beat' (OR 2.2, 95% CI 2.0-2.5) -- or 'all violence' -- all of the four types of physically violent behaviour (OR 3.5, 95% CI 2.94-3.51) -- were at increased risk of poor mental health.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicate a strong association between domestic spousal violence and poor mental health, and underscore the need for appropriate interventions.
Kumar
Shuba
S
Social Scientist and Manager, India Clinical Epidemiology Network, No. 58 Venkatratnam Nagar, Adayar, Chennai 600020, India. indiaclen@touchtelindia.net
Jeyaseelan
Lakshmanan
L
Suresh
Saradha
S
Ahuja
Ramesh Chandra
RC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data