Obesity in women who have experienced intimate partner violence

Domestic violence and childhood trauma among married women using machine learning approach: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Globally, 27% of ever-partnered women aged 15-49 have experienced physical, sexual, or intimate partner violence at least once in their lifetime. In Saudi Arabia, domestic violence (DV) remains a concern despite cultural and economic advancements. This study aims to measure the prevalence and factors associated with DV as well as childhood trauma (CT) in the Al Hasa region.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 503 married women by using convenient sampling reporting DV and CT using two validated questionnaires, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the numbers and percentages. Pearson's r correlation was applied to investigate the correlation between risk factors. The multilayer perceptron model has been applied to estimate the most important factors contributing to DV and CT.

RESULTS

Out of 503 respondents, most of them had low experience of DV and childhood trauma, while the prevalence of DV was 4.86%, with controlling behavior of the intimate partner (6.09%) and psychological violence most commonly reported. CT was experienced by 18.90% of respondents, primarily emotional neglect (31.44). The median score of DV was 1.99 (0.81), and that of CT was 2.15(0.45). Among the DV subscales, the median score of psychological violence (2.00, IQR = 0.50) and controlling behavior (2.25 with IQR 0.50) was higher compared to physical and sexual violence, whereas the emotional neglect subscale mean score was the highest among the CT subscales, 2.50 (0.50). DV and childhood trauma were significantly associated with BMI ([Formula: see text] < 0.001) and education of women ([Formula: see text]< 0.001) respectively. The result of ML model showed that the influential predictors of DV and CT are physical violence and physical neglect respectively.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed a positive correlation between CT and DV. Women who experienced emotional neglect or abuse during childhood were more likely to report controlling behaviors and psychological violence in their relationships. CT was reported more frequently than DV and women with higher education levels reported greater childhood trauma. Even with low prevalence, such sensitive subjects must not be discredited. Saudi women should embrace education, employment, and awareness of their rights with the rapid societal change, marking a new beginning for women's empowerment and safety.

The Risk Factors of Chronic Pain in Victims of Violence: A Scoping Review

Violent situations are unfortunately very frequent in women and children all over the world. These experiences have long-term consequences for adult physical and psychological health. One of the most reported is chronic pain, defined in various sub-diagnoses and present in all types of violence. Unfortunately, the etiology of this condition is not clear and neither are the predisposing factors. The aim of this scoping review is to examine the literature trends about the probable risk factors of chronic pain in violence victims. Considering a bio-psycho-social model, it is possible to hypothesize the presence of all these aspects. The results will be discussed in the present article.

Intimate Partner Violence in Khaliji Women: A Review of the Frequency and Related Factors

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji, is a group of six Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern in the aforementioned region, but research that synthesises this trend has remained scarce. The present narrative review examines existing research on the prevalence and frequency of IPV among Khaliji women who inhabit the GCC nations. This review synthesised studies on physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviours perpetrated by an intimate partner. The prevalence rates of IPV among Khaliji women were observed to be high: women reported facing different types of abuse from their partners, namely physical (7-71%), sexual (3.7-81%), financial (21.3-26%), and psychological (7.5-89%), which is a culmination of controlling behaviour (36.8%), emotional violence (22-69%), and social violence (34%). Existing studies in the GCC region suggest that the most endorsed IPV was psychological abuse (89%), followed by sexual violence (81%). Qualitative analysis of the content of associated factors resulted in four significant descriptors, such as victim demographics, sociocultural factors, socioeconomic factors, and perpetrator-related issues. Research on IPV is still in its nascent stages, with very few studies emanating from the GCC region. The way forward will require developing culturally appropriate interventions that address the unique risk factors for IPV among the Khaliji population, strengthening institutional responses, and increasing awareness and social support for victims of IPV.

Child maltreatment and protection in the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council countries: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Research on child maltreatment and protection in the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council countries-Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-is limited but growing, as is child protection as a sector.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to identify themes and gaps in existing research on child maltreatment and protection, identify opportunities for building capacity in research and practice.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

N/A.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review of empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals in English and Arabic and reported methods and findings according to the PRISMA-ScR reporting protocol. Articles were coded by country, topic of research, and type of abuse studied, if any.

RESULTS

Our database search returned 6109 articles and 160 articles were included in our review. Themes included (1) prevalence, incidence, and characteristics of maltreatment, (2) outcomes associated with maltreatment, (3) attitudes, awareness, and reporting, (4) accidental injury and death potentially associated with neglect, (5) policy and practice. Eighty-seven articles studied Saudi Arabia, while 28 studied the UAE, 21 Kuwait, 13 Qatar, 12 Oman, and 11 Bahrain. Physical abuse was studied in 77 articles, followed by sexual abuse in 54 articles and emotional abuse in 54.

CONCLUSION

Although the medical community produces an encouraging volume of child maltreatment research, gaps remain. Intervention research is lacking, and further inquiry into family dynamics, culture, and spirituality could inform the development of effective interventions. Cross-sectoral collaboration among education, social work, law enforcement, and healthcare is also needed to safeguard children's rights in the GCC.

The association between childhood sexual abuse and historical intimate partner violence with body mass index and diabetes: Evidence from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations of childhood sexual abuse and historical intimate partner violence with body mass index and diabetes among mid-age women. Data from 5782 participants in the 1946-51 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were used. The association of abuse reported to have occurred before 1996 with body mass index and incident diabetes during 20 years of follow-up were examined using longitudinal logistic regression. Women who experienced childhood sexual abuse only, historical intimate partner violence only, or both forms of abuse had higher risk of obesity compared to women who did not experience either form of abuse. The associations between experiencing childhood sexual abuse only, historical intimate partner violence only, or both forms of abuse and incident diabetes (adjusted odds ratios, AOR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.00, 1.65, AOR = 1.27 (1.02, 1.58) and AOR = 1.74 (1.27, 2.38) respectively) were attenuated by adding body mass index and other variables in the model (AOR = 1.16, 95%CI = 0.90, AOR = 1.49, 1.17 (0.94, 1.46) and AOR = 1.41 (1.03, 1.95) respectively) compared with women who did not experience abuse. The clinical implication is that awareness of a woman's early life experience of abuse may provide insight into managing her weight and risk of diabetes.

Investigating the associations between intimate partner violence and nutritional status of women in Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women and poor nutritional status are growing health problems in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Moreover, violence against women has been shown to be associated with poor nutrition. This study investigated the relationship between IPV and nutritional status (i.e., underweight, overweight, and obesity) among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Zimbabwe.

METHODS

Pooled data from the 2005/2006, 2010/2011, and 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic Health Surveys (ZDHS) on 13,008 married/cohabiting women were analysed. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between the various forms of IPV and the nutritional status of women. We further estimated the prevalence of BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2 (overweight and obesity) by intimate partner violence type.

RESULTS

The mean BMI of women was 24.3 kg/m2, more than one-fifth (24%) were overweight and about 12% were obese. Forty-three percent (43%) of women reported to have ever experienced at least one form of intimate partner violence. More than one-third (35%) of women who reported to have ever experienced at least one form of intimate partner violence had a BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2 (p< 0.01). Relative to normal weight, women who had ever experienced at least one form of IPV (i.e., physical, emotional, or sexual) were more likely to be obese (aOR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.05-6.39). Women's exposure to any form of intimate partner violence was not significantly associated with the likelihood of being underweight or overweight relative to normal weight.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings show that women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe are at high risk of both IPV and excess weight. Moreover, we found a positive relationship between exposure to at least one form IPV and obesity. Public health interventions that target the well-being, empowerment and development of women are needed to address the complex issue of IPV and adverse health outcomes, including obesity.

Intimate partner violence and COVID-19 among reproductive age women: A community-based cross-sectional survey, Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION

Intimate partner violence is one of the most common psychological, physical, and sexual assaults toward women which suit the entire life of women, and nowadays, the magnitude accelerates due to coronavirus pandemic. Hence, this study was aimed to examine the prevalence of intimate partner violence and predictors during coronavirus among childbearing-age residents in Debre Berhan.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional survey was employed from 1 May to 1 July 2020. Eight items of women abuse screening tool were used to estimate intimate partner violence. Trained data collectors directly interview randomly selected participants. The data were entered using Epi-info V. 7 and analyzed using SPSS V. 23. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence and the frequency distribution of other variables. During bivariate analysis, predictor variables with a p-value less than 0.25 were nominated to further analysis. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULT

A total of 700 participants were included with a response rate of 95.1%. The prevalence of intimate partner violence in the past single year was 19% with 95% confidence interval = 16.1-21.9. Besides, the prevalence of emotional (19.9%, 95% confidence interval = 16.9-22.8), sexual (10.9%, 95% confidence interval = 8.6-13.2) and physical (9.4%, 95% confidence interval = 7.3-11.6) violence was reported. Women with depressive symptoms, overweight, suicidal ideation, and body image disturbance were significantly associated with intimate partner violence, but not educational status, employment, income, stressful life events, lifetime alcohol use, suicidal attempt, and abortion.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Nearly one out of five interviewed participants had intimate partner violence. Being overweight, having poor body image, and having depression increase intimate partner violence. Special preventive measures and treatment, and other legal services should be taken to alleviate the predictor variables and intimate partner violence.

Intimate Partner Violence and Adult Asthma Morbidity: A Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

The etiologies for difficult-to-control asthma are complex and incompletely understood. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive problem and may play a role in difficult-to-control asthma. IPV is associated with increased prevalence of asthma. There are no prior studies evaluating IPV's association with adult asthma exacerbations.

OBJECTIVE

This study hypothesized that IPV exposure would be associated with increased asthma exacerbations, higher symptom burden, and poorer asthma control among adults.

METHODS

Analyses are based on 2634 adults who participated in the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, reported active asthma, and completed the asthma and IPV questions. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the association of IPV with asthma morbidity outcomes while controlling for the following potential confounders: sex, race, education, health care coverage, smoking status, age, and body mass index.

RESULTS

The prevalence of IPV was 32.4%. IPV was associated with increased odds of an asthma exacerbation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26-2.43), higher symptom burden (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.53-3.55), and lack of asthma control (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.22-4.09) when using composite measures for these outcomes. When using single-item measures for outcomes, IPV was also associated with increased asthma-related emergency department or urgent care visits (AOR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.56-3.54), other urgent provider visits (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.28-2.64), perceived asthma attacks (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.12-2.09), limitations (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.49-2.89), daytime symptoms (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.35-2.72), and nocturnal awakenings (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.32-2.69).

CONCLUSIONS

IPV is prevalent in adult asthmatics and consistently and significantly associated with worsened adult asthma morbidity, even after adjusting for key confounders. Further research is needed to more fully understand the mechanisms underlying these relationships.

Intimate Partner Violence in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue at the global level, with cultural differences in its nature and prevalence. Most of the current evidence related to IPV comes from Western countries; however, there is a lack of evidence of IPV in developing countries such as Saudi Arabia. The issue of IPV has been investigated in Saudi Arabia only recently, and data have been inconsistent and inconclusive. Hence, we conducted a systematic review of the extant literature devoted to IPV prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes as well as Saudi women's help-seeking behaviors. Various databases, such as PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, and reference lists of the reviewed studies, were searched to identify relevant studies by using different keywords. The review included 16 studies that met the inclusion criteria, which revealed several findings. There is no national representative prevalence study of IPV in the Saudi context. Various IPV definitions were used with limited evidence for the reliability and validity of the used IPV measures. IPV is a prevalent issue among Saudi women, but rates are comparable to those of other countries. There are various individual, relational, and sociocultural factors that increase women's vulnerability to IPV victimization. However, limited information is available regarding IPV protective factors. More importantly, IPV experiences negatively affect Saudi women's physical and mental health status. Saudi women rarely seek formal support for IPV. This review also highlights the lack of IPV data and inconsistencies in defining and measuring IPV. More rigorous research regarding IPV is needed to help develop relevant preventive and intervention programs.

Migrant Women's Help-Seeking Decisions and Use of Support Resources for Intimate Partner Violence in China

In China, women who domestically relocate from rural or less developed regions to major cities are at a higher risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) than their non-migrant counterparts. Few studies have focused on Chinese domestic migrant women's help-seeking for IPV and their use of different sources of support. The present study aimed to identify factors that influence migrant women's help-seeking decisions. In addition, we also examined factors that contribute to migrant women's use of diverse sources of support for IPV. A sample of 280 migrant women victimized by IPV in the past year at the time of the survey was drawn from a larger cross-sectional study conducted in four major urban cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Using a multinomial logistic regression model and a zero-inflated Poisson model, we found that factors influencing migrant women's help-seeking decisions and their use of diverse sources of support included socioeconomic factors, IPV type, relationship-related factors, knowledge of China's first anti-Domestic Violence Law, and perception of the effectiveness of current policies. We discuss implications for future research and interventions.

[Intimate partner violence and depression among adult women working in a health facility in Mexico]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of intimate partner violence on the risk of depression and depressive symptoms among adult women.

METHOD

We analyzed data from the Mexican Health Workers' Cohort study (n=470). Type and severity of intimate partner violence was ascertained between 2004 and 2011. Self-reported medical diagnosis of depression (2011) was the main outcome; depressive symptoms ascertained with the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale was the secondary outcome. Random-effects regressions were run to model the risk of depression (logistic) and depressive symptoms (linear) in relation to intimate partner violence.

RESULTS

41.9% women experienced intimate partner violence at baseline. The incidence of depression was 7.2%. The risk of depression increased with any type of IPV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.9; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.4-6.2) and with physical (aOR=4.3; 95%CI: 1.8-10.1), psychological (aOR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.4-6.6) and sexual (aOR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.2-8.2) violence. Depressive symptoms (CES-D) increased slightly with physical and sexual intimate partner violence.

CONCLUSIONS

Intimate partner violence was associated with a higher risk of depression in this sample of women working in a Mexican health facility. Our results indicate the need to develop infrastructure, to implement strategies of attention and counselling, and to provide a safe environment in the workplace for women who experience intimate partner violence.

Intimate partner violence and hair cortisol concentration: A biomarker for HPA axis function

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with various health issues, which may be explained by hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction. There is a lack of research examining hair cortisol concentrations as a biomarker of HPA function alterations in the context of IPV with consideration to women's resilience. The study assessed whether IPV severity and resilience are associated with hair cortisol concentrations among Saudi women. This cross-sectional explanatory design used a convenience sample of 156 Saudi women from health care settings. A structured interview that included self-reported responses was performed, and hair samples were collected. The samples were analyzed using a salivary ELISA kit. The result showed a significant difference in hair cortisol concentration between women who have experienced IPV and women who have not experienced IPV. As well, controlling for depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder, IPV severity (β = -.281, 95 % CI = -.046 to -.003) and resilience (β = -.225, 95 % CI = -.038 to -.005) were significant predictors of lower hair cortisol concentrations. The effect of IPV severity on cortisol levels as a biomarker of HPA axis function could explain the poor health conditions among IPV survivors. This study highlights that IPV victimization leads to physiological changes and that hair cortisol is an indicator of women's health status.

Lifetime Spousal Violence Victimization and Perpetration, Physical Illness, and Health Risk Behaviours among Women in India

The aim of this study was to assess the association between lifetime spousal violence victimization, spousal violence perpetration, and physical health outcomes and behaviours among women in India. In the 2015⁻2016 National Family Health Survey, a sample of ever-married women (15⁻49 years) (N = 66,013) were interviewed about spousal violence. Results indicate that 29.9% of women reported lifetime spousal physical violence victimization and 7.1% lifetime spousal sexual violence victimization (31.1% physical and/or sexual violence victimization), and 3.5% lifetime spousal physical violence perpetration. Lifetime spousal violence victimization and lifetime spousal violence perpetration were significantly positively correlated with asthma, genital discharge, genital sores or ulcers, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), tobacco use, alcohol use, and termination of pregnancy, and negatively associated with daily consumption of dark vegetables. In addition, lifetime spousal violence victimization was positively associated with being underweight, high random blood glucose levels, and anaemia, and negatively correlated with being overweight or obese. Lifetime spousal violence perpetration was marginally significantly associated with hypertension. The study found in a national sample of women in India a decrease of lifetime physical and/or sexual spousal violence victimization and an increase of lifetime spousal physical violence perpetration from 2005/5 to 2015/6. The results support other studies that found that, among women, lifetime spousal physical and/or sexual spousal violence victimization and lifetime spousal physical violence perpetration increase the odds of chronic conditions, physical illnesses, and health risk behaviours.