Lifetime and periodic prevalence and characteristics of violence against women committed by their alcohol-dependent partners - a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. We aimed to investigate the lifetime and periodic prevalence (during a year) and characteristics of violence against women and health status of women whose partners have been treated for alcohol dependence. Methods. Cross-sectional study was conducted among women whose male partners were alcohol dependent and admitted to hospital for the inpatient treatment. Exposure to physical and sexual violence was measured by Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2). Mental health status was measured by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), suicidal risk (using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview or MINI scale) and alcohol consumption (AUDIT scale). Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical methods. We also constructed two logistic regression models to study associations between violence and SES, and violence and health-related variables. Results. The lifetime prevalence of physical partner violence against among women was 65.4%, while the periodic prevalence (during the 12 months prior to study) was 46.2% for physical; 20,2% for sexual, and 18% for both types of violence. None women were in risk of harmful alcohol consumption. Violence was more often among women not living in a town (OR 2.53, OR 95% CI 1.08-5.94, in univariate model), and among women with moderate/severe depression (OR 12.34, 95%CI 2.26-67.33, in multivariate model). Conclusion. Alcohol dependent men are very often violent toward their spouses, and inpatient treatment presents an opportunity to work with them on raising awareness on unacceptance of violence against women.