A cross-sectional study on domestic violence in emergency department of Eastern Nepal

INTRODUCTION: Domestic violence is certainly an important condition, and certainly carries significant health consequences. Screening is probably acceptable to most patients attending an emergency department. The objective of this study is to find out the frequency of domestic violence victims attending emergency department, to find out the factors related to domestic violence, type, and severity of injury and to identify the impact of domestic violence in the victims. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study done in the Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences from January 2014 to December 2014. Anyone presented with a physical injury intentionally caused by a relative, partner, or other household member (spouse, partner, sibling, ex-partner, child, and other wives/partner of spouse). RESULTS: The total number of patient enrolled in this study was 423. Among which 71.9% were female and 28.1% were male. About 27% of female and 31.9% of male were in the age group of 20–30 years. Majority (42.4% females and 48% males) of the victim's family had agriculture for primary occupation. Among the study groups, 40.9% of cases were beaten by direct hit and 24.3 with weapon, 5% of cases were only reported as rape, and 23.6% as homicidal case. CONCLUSION: Domestic violence is particularly insidious form of gender-based violence. In the place where they should feel the greatest safety and security- the family-women often face terror form of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse.