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Spousal violence against Egyptian women and its impact on reproductive indicators

Research Authors
Eman M M Monazea and Ekram M Abdel Khalek
Research Journal
Journal of American Science
Research Rank
2
Research Vol
Vol. 7 - No. 6
Research Year
2011
Research_Pages
pp. 612 - 622
Research Abstract

Domestic violence against women is increasingly recognized as a global problem. It poses a direct threat to women's health and has serious reproductive health consequences. Aim of the study: The study aims to identify the relationship between women exposure to spousal violence and some reproductive health indicators. Methods: Data from the 2005 Egyptian Demographic and Health Survey were secondary analyzed for 5,613 ever- married women aged 15-49 years. Results: More than three in ten women had an experience with any form of spousal violence. Fertility was higher among women have experienced violence than among women who have not (mean number of children ever born was 3.42.1 versus 2.9  2.4). Total family planning need was higher among women who have experienced violence than among women who have not. Self reported prevalence of sexually transmitted infections was higher among women who have ever or recently experienced violence than women who have not (21.4%, 26.1% versus. 18.5%). Conclusion: Marital violence is related to various negative reproductive health outcomes. Violence against women is a vicious circle that needs to be broken. Actions must be taken to make women and men understand that violence against women is not legitimate or acceptable and that everybody pays a high price for it.