Physical domestic violence trauma among women referred to the emergency department of imam khomeini hospital, urmia, iran

Introduction: Domestic violence is the most common form of violence against women that has negative effects on the health of the mother, children, family, and society. This study aimed to evaluate the trauma caused by physical violence in women referred to the Emergency Department of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Urmia, Iran. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on women referred to the Emergency Department of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Urmia, Iran, with trauma in the First quarter of ۲۰۱۶. The patient files were used to collect the required data. Subsequently, the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software (version ۱۸) through the chi-square test (P<۰.۰۰۱) Results: In total, ۱۷۴۶ women with trauma were referred to the Emergency Department in the First quarter of ۲۰۱۶, ۳۸ of whom reported physical domestic violence. The mean age of the women was ۳۷.۵۷±۵.۵۴ years; moreover, ۱۶ (۴۲.۱%) cases had elementary education, and ۲۰ (۵۲.۶%) women were urban dwellers. Regarding the marital status, ۳۳(۸۶.۸%)women were married. Considering the relationship between trauma severity and demographic characteristics, only education level showed a correlation with trauma severity. In total ۱۴ (۳۶.۸%) and ۱۱ (۲۹%) cases had mild and severe traumas, respectively. Furthermore, the most injured parts were the limbs (n=۱۶; ۴۲.۱%). Conclusion: The results showed a significant increase in the severity of trauma in women with lower education levels. Accordingly, improvements in the level of education may decrease the prevalence and severity of physical domestic violence, which requires appropriate planning to increase women's education level.

Keywords:

Domestic Violence , Trauma , Women