Intimate Partner Violence among Ever-married Women Treated for Depression at a Rural Health Center in Bengaluru Urban District

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a risk factor for depression among women. Spousal alcoholism and marital quality are associated with both depression and spousal abuse Knowledge about the factors contributing to IPV in depression will enable us to have interventions to address IPV in tandem with treating depression. OBJECTIVES: (1) To estimate the prevalence of IPV in women treated for depression in a rural community health-care facility in Bengaluru Urban District. (2) To assess the association between IPV and various other factors in women treated for depression in a rural community health care facility. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among ever-married women above 18 years, registered under mental health program in the mental health clinic in Mugalur, Karnataka, and currently on treatment for depression. The women who consented were interviewed using structured questionnaires – WHOQOL-BREF, standard of living index, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Index of Spouse Abuse, family interview for genetic studies for reported alcohol use, and marital quality scale. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 49.7 ± 13.2 years. The prevalence of physical IPV and non-physical IPV was found to be 18% and 7%, respectively. Marital quality was significantly lower among women who experienced IPV. Women with husbands who ever used alcohol were found to have six times more risk of experiencing physical IPV, odd ratio 6.193 (1.595, 24.047). CONCLUSION: Health education, involvement of self-help groups, and awareness programs are required to alleviate IPV.