Masood Ali Shaikh.
Is domestic violence endemic in Pakistan: perspective from Pakistani Wives.
Pak J Med Sci Jan ;19(1):23-8.

Objective: Domestic violence is an important public health problem. This study assessed the magnitude and type of domestic violence inflicted on women by their husbands. Design: A cross-sectional survey based on a sample of convenience was conducted by two trained health interviewers, using a pre-tested questionnaire. Setting: The study was conducted in three public sector hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, among women who were either themselves visiting or accompanying others who were visiting the Obstetrics and Gynecology Departments. Main outcome measure: Assessment of domestic violence in marital setting. Results: Only 7 (3.2%) out of the 216 women did not report enduring any type of domestic violence ever. Rest of the women reported enduring multiple types of violence. Being shouted or yelled at was the most frequent, while use of a weapon e.g. gun or knife was the least common type of violence reported. Among the 193 women who had been pregnant in the past, 48 (24.9%) reported that violence in general increased during pregnancy, 98 (50.8%) reported a decrease and the remaining 47(24.3%) reported no change in the violence level. Nonconsensual sex was reported by 98 (46.9%) of the women interviewed. No statistically significant association was noted between domestic violence and either living arrangements (nuclear or extended) educational and income levels of the respondents or their husband’s, and pregnancy status. Conclusion: Population based epidemiological studies are needed to study the type, frequency and perpetuating factors of domestic violence in the country, for informed public health policy formulation.

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