Wife abuse among women of childbearing age in Nicaragua.

1 February 1999

journal article
Published by American Public Health Association in American Journal of Public Health

Vol. 89 (2) , 241-244
https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.89.2.241

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study measured the prevalence, frequency, and severity of physical wife abuse and its risk factors in León, Nicaragua. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a representative sample of 488 women 15 to 49 years of age. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of spousal violence was 52% among ever-married women (n = 360). Spousal violence was significantly positively associated with poverty, parity, urban residence, and history of violence in the husband's family. No significant associations were found between spousal violence and women's age, education, marital dependency, or occupation. CONCLUSIONS: Wife abuse constitutes a major public health problem in Nicaragua, requiring urgent measures for prevention and treatment for victims.

Keywords

This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit:

The Nicaraguan network of women against violence: using research and action for change
Reproductive Health Matters, 1997
Domestic violence in Mexico
Published by American Medical Association (AMA) ,1996
Abuse During Pregnancy: Associations with Maternal Health And Infant Birth Weight
Nursing Research, 1996
Domestic violence against women. Incidence and prevalence in an emergency department population
JAMA, 1995
Domestic violence—An emerging health issue
Social Science & Medicine, 1994
Violence against women: A neglected public health issue in less developed countries
Social Science & Medicine, 1994
ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF SURVEY DATA ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN:
Gender & Society, 1994
The women's mental health research agenda: Violence against women.
American Psychologist, 1990
The women's mental health research agenda: Violence against women.
American Psychologist, 1990
Wife's Marital Dependency and Wife Abuse
Journal of Marriage and Family, 1982