Prevalence of domestic violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors: A cross-sectional study in southwest Iran in 2020

Domestic violence against women has been a longstanding concern that has become exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated home quarantines. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of domestic violence against women and its related factors in Ahvaz, Iran. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 reproductive-aged women in Ahvaz, Iran. Data collection included a demographic questionnaire and the Hurts, Insults, Threaten, Scream (HITS) questionnaire. Participants were also asked about their experiences of violence before the COVID-19 pandemic. Six public health centers from the west and east banks of the Karun River were randomly selected. Fifty women meeting the inclusion criteria from each center, identified through medical records, were invited to participate using a convenient method. Data collection took place from September 2020 to December 2020. Women completed the demographic questionnaire and HITS survey. Overall, 119 (39.7%) of the women studied reported experiencing domestic violence during the home quarantine period, with insults being the most frequent form at 88 (29.3%). Women with more children were 1.724 times more likely to experience violence (95% CI: 1.201-2.474). Those with husbands having lower educational attainment, such as a high school diploma, were 5.02 times more likely to experience domestic violence (95% CI: 1.570-16.075). Women's age and occupation did not show a significant relationship with violence. The prevalence of domestic violence among Iranian women increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers should focus on identifying women as victims of violence, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.