Online Program

336760
Domestic violence and women's health


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Maryam Tabrizi, DMD, MPH, General Dentistry and Public Health, UTHealth School of Dentistry in Houston, Texas, Houston, TX
Objective:

Currently 1 in 3 women in the United States aged 18 and older have been the victims of domestic violence (DV) by an intimate partner in their lifetime. The Center for Disease Control reports on average, 20 people per minute are victims of domestic violence in the US.  The aim of this review was to provide health organizations with educational and preventive tools for the purpose of assisting victims, healthcare professionals and service providers, to provide a safer home for the victims and to prevent the history of domestic violence repeats.

Methods:

Data gathered for use in this essay was obtained by two main sources: (1) literature review from 2003 to 2014 and (2) qualitative interviews with ten individuals who have experienced domestic violence, domestic violence specialist, law enforcement agents, and advocates. They speak of domestic violence at every level, physical, emotional, mental and financial.

Results:

The reasons women often stay in an abusive relationship longer than they want is generally due to lack of understanding of DV and warning signs and restrictions in laws, legislation and policy. There is also a lack of knowledge of the resources available; lack of skills and education to obtain quality employment to support themselves; lack of public awareness and stigma for the victims were found as critical causes of domestic violence.

Multilevel approaches to change mindsets and the definition of healthy behavior and life style are critical to stop domestic violence.

Keywords: Abuse, education, awareness, empowerment

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Identifying domestic violence is widely recognized as a human rights violation that affects millions of women worldwide including the United States. According to CDC in 2011,in the US, 22% of women surveyed reported experiencing physical violence by an intimate partner, and the percentage is increasing every year. In 2013 CDC estimated that domestic violence cost the U.S. economy more than $5.8 billion in a single year.Direct and indirect cost of domestic violence,also violation of human right against women is a serious issue in the US and worldwide.

Keyword(s): Women's Health, Human Rights

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a dental practitioner for the past 22 years and an Assistant Faculty Professor for the past 4 years. Through out my career I have been witness to the signs of trauma in the head and maxillofacial trauma pointing to signs of domestic abuse of female patients, 18 years and older. With continuing my education in public health I'm interested in shedding light on domestic violence.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.