Prevalence and risk factors for domestic violence against infertile women in an Iranian setting.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for domestic violence against women with female factor infertility in an Iranian setting.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional survey conducted from August 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010, 400 women with primary infertility attending Valiasr Reproductive Health Research Center in Tehran, Iran, were interviewed using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales questionnaire (CTS(2)). This instrument was developed to investigate the presence domestic violence.


RESULTS
A total of 247 women (61.8%) reported having experienced domestic violence because of their infertility. The most common type of violence was psychological (n=135 [33.8%]), followed by physical (n=56 [14%]) and sexual (n=32 [8%]), with 24 women (6%) reporting injuries. All women reported their husbands to be the perpetrators.


CONCLUSIONS
Domestic violence against infertile women is a considerable yet unreported problem. Clinicians should identify the abused women and provide them with medical care and supportive counseling.
Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hasan E
HE
Ardabily
Zahra B
ZB
Moghadam
Mahvash
M
Salsali
Fatemeh
F
Ramezanzadeh
Saharnaz
S
Nedjat
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult