title: Prevalence of domestic violence and associated factors among married women in a semi-rural area of western Turkey.
abstract: Objective : To determine the prevalence of domestic violence and associated factors among married women in a semi-rural area of western Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive study was conducted between March 1 and April 29, 2011 on married women aged 15-49 years. Exposure to at least one of these types of violence at least one time within the past one year was regarded as the presence of domestic violence. Chi-square test and Logistic Regression analysis was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of domestic violence against women was found to be 39.0%. About 38,4% and 26.8% of women reported verbal and psychological violence respectively. The risk factors found for the domestic violence included youngest age group, an educational level of secondary/high school for men, form of the first marriage, number of children, alcohol and gambling habits of the husband.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study found higher prevalence of domestic violence than expected. Verbal violence is also a significant problem particularly in terms of its consequences. It was concluded that further informative studies are needed on domestic violence to find out the causative factors to chalk out preventive strategies.
authors.affiliation: Mehmet Enes Gokler, Research Assistant, Deparment of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Tukrey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Enes
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gokler
authors.affiliation: Didem Arslantas, Associate Professor, Deparment of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Tukrey.
authors.forename: Didem
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arslantas
authors.affiliation: Alaettin Unsal, Professor, Deparment of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Tukrey.
authors.forename: Alaettin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Unsal
keywords: Domestic violence; Prevalence; Rural areas; Turkey