Abuse and mental disorders among women at walk-in clinics in Trinidad: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
To determine the prevalence of abuse by their partners and its association with mental disorders among female patients at walk-in clinics in Trinidad.


METHODS
Female participants from 16 randomly selected walk-in clinics, previously stratified to represent all administrative regions and urban and rural settings, who were 18 years or older, were surveyed during May to August 2007 using the WAST-Short and PRIME-MD questionnaires.


RESULTS
432 women participated (a 92% response rate), Of these 16% were aged 20-29, 11.8% 30-39 and 19% 40-49; 37% were married, 25% single; 44.7% were Indo- and 35% Afro-Trinidadian; 67.8% had achieved education up to age 14 only. 30.3% were employed and 3.0% reported incomes more than $5,001 TTD (Trinidad and Tobago Dollars) per month. Forty percent (173) of all respondents were positive for abuse as scored by the WAST-Short scale. Chi-square analysis suggested associations (p < 0.05) between abuse and age, employment status, being in a current relationship, and having the desire to cut down on alcohol intake. Further there were associations between abuse and the presence of depression, suicidal ideation, post-traumatic stress disorder and somatization as determined by the PRIME-MD scale. Logistic regression showed that the statistically significant (p < 0.05) predictors of woman abuse were age less than 49, wanting to cut down on alcohol use and currently being in a relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
Among women of primarily lower socioeconomic status who attend walk-in clinics in Trinidad abuse as measured by the WAST-Short scale is high and there are statistically significant associations with mental disorders as determined by the PRIME-MD scale.
Maharaj
Rohan G
RG
The Unit of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St, Augustine, Trinidad. rohan.maharaj@sta.uwi.edu
Alexander
Colanne
C
Bridglal
Candace H
CH
Edwards
Aysha
A
Mohammed
Hassina
H
Rampaul
Teri-Ann
TA
Sanchez
Sharlene
S
Tanwing
Gina P
GP
Thomas
Kristy
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult