The effect of intimate partner violence and other forms of violence against women on health

Abstract

Background: There are many studies concerning the health consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, little research has been done on the health consequences of other forms of violence against women (VAW) such as the violence perpetrated by male relatives, friends or strangers. The aims of this paper were: (i) to analyze the prevalence of different forms of VAW perpetrated by males at home, workplace and other social environments in Spain and (ii) to analyze whether IPV and other forms of VAW have a different or similar negative impact on women's health. Methods: A sample of 13 094 women interviewed in the Spanish National Health Survey 2006 was included. Outcomes were physical and mental health indicators. Predictor variables were IPV and other VAW forms. Logistic regression models were fitted. Results: The likelihood of coronary heart disease [OR: 5.28 (1.45–19.25)], chronic neck [OR: 2.01 (1.35–2.97)] and back pain [OR: 2.34 (1.53–3.57)] was higher among women who reported IPV than among those who did not. Similar associations were found in the case of women affected by other forms of VAW. Mental health problems, with the exception of psychotropic drug use, were more frequent and more strongly associated with IPV than with other forms of VAW. Conclusion: There are health inequities between battered and non-battered women, which may be related to exposure to not only IPV but also other forms of VAW.