Women's experience of domestic violence in Calca, Peru

This study is a preliminary needs assessment and epidemiological investigation of adult women's experience with domestic violence (DV) in Calca, Peru. The frequency and forms of abuse (physical/sexual, emotional, and control/dominance) by participants' currently cohabitating male partners were evaluated. Participants, aged 19 to 60 years, were interviewed using an anonymous 10-item questionnaire (n=196). Interviews took place in a hospital waiting room and an open-air market between May and August 2006. Participant data were stratified by age (35 years and younger or older than 35) and location of recruitment (hospital or market). Using SPSS V12, data were analyzed using odds ratios, t-tests, and ANOVAs. GWUMC's Office of Human Research Institutional Review Board approved this study, #080611. Results showed that 43% of all participants experienced some form of abuse by an intimate partner. Higher frequencies of abuse showed a strong positive correlation (r=0.89) with an increase in the number of forms of abuse experienced. Statistically significant results for age by location in both frequency of abuse {F(1, 193)=4.2, p=0.04} and number of forms of abuse {F(1, 193)=3.9, p=0.05} were found. The highest rates of abuse were found in market interviewees over 35 years of age (82%) and in hospital interviewees 35 years and younger (58%). This study demonstrates the need to address the issue of DV in Calca in order to decrease and prevent its occurrence. Findings such as these can influence the future direction, development, and implementation of health programs that will better support and serve the needs of women.