Association experience time and fear of domestic violence with the occurrence of depression in women

Violence is one of the important causes of disability and death in women that often results to poor health conditions, low quality of life and high use of health services; also correlates with multiple physical and mental consequences. This survey designed to determine association experience time and fear of domestic violence with the occurrence of depression among women refered to the family health centers, Tehran (2007). This study is a descriptive cross sectional survey, 811 women were chosen with stratified random sampling method. Data collection’s instrument was questionnaire that was filled out by interviewing. Descriptive and inferential statistics (x2 test, fisher exact test and logistic regression) were used for data analysis. The prevalence of depression, domestic violence in last year, domestic violence befor of last year and fear of domestic violence was 37.1% [mild depression (28.7%),moderate depression (8.2%), severe depression (0.2%)], 88.3%, 76.3% and 55.7% respectively. Women experienced domestic violence in last year, befor of last year and fear of domestic violence had depressive symptoms (OR= 3.547, 95% CI= 2.003-6.281), (OR= 2.153, 95% CI=1.482-3.129) and (OR= 2.88, 95% CI= 2.123-3.905) respectively. Depressive symptoms correlated with the type and proximity of domestic violence’s experience; on the other hand not only the direct experience of domestic violence but also the presence of fear of domestic violence associated with depressive symptoms. Therefore fear of domestic violence along with the experience of domestic violence should be considered in assessing depression in women.