Prevalence of domestic violence and its related factors in women referred to health centers in Khuzestan Province

Domestic violence is a risk factor for a wide range of health problems. This study investigated the prevalence of domestic violence and its related factors among women who attending health centers in four cities of Khuzestan provinces. In a descriptive-analytical study, 1820 women aged between 14-56 years who referred to health centers of Ahwaz, Abadan, Dezful and Andymeshk were studied. An interview-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Logistic regression model for the calculating the odds ratio was applied. Overall prevalence of physical violence at any time of life was 20.2%. The prevalence of psychological, sexual and any type of violence were 41%, 10.9% and 47.3%, respectively. Logistic regression showed that experience of any type of violence has a significant relationship with literacy, employment, ethnicity, city of residence, age of women and history of psychiatric disorders in husbands. The prevalence of violence in Khuzestan was high. Health centers need to consider routine screening and referring victims of violence.