[Violence against women among urban area residents in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the occurrence of physical and/or psychological violence according to sociodemographic variables, lifestyle habits, and medical conditions in a Brazilian urban population.


METHODS
This epidemiological, cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of the urban population of Feira de Santana, state of Bahia, Brazil, aged > 15 years. We used a semistructured questionnaire to collect data on sociodemographic variables, lifestyle habits, medical conditions, and acts of victimization.


RESULTS
Among the respondents, women presented an increased incidence of physical and/or psychological violence when compared with men. Violence against women showed to be related with the presence of comorbidities that adversely affect women's health.


CONCLUSIONS
Health and safety policies in the municipality assessed should include actions aimed at preventing violence against women, in view of the high incidence of the problem and its strong impact on population health.
Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Jequié, BA.
Saulo Vasconcelos
SV
Rocha
Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, BA.
Maura Maria Guimarães de
MM
Almeida
Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, BA.
Tânia Maria de
TM
Araújo