Abstract
Objective
To identify factors associated with the severity of intimate partner abuse (IPA) in Mexico.
Methods
Data were gathered from the National Survey of Violence Against Women (November 2002–November 2003), a nationwide study in which 18,902 women over the age of 14 participated. Subjects were recipients of national public health care services. The severity of IPA was measured using a 27-item scale. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to explore significant factors associated with partner violence.
Results
One in four participants reported experiencing IPA. This model showed that younger and less educated women had a higher risk of IPA. Working out of the home (OR [odds ratio]1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99-1.72), two or more children in the household (OR 1.44, CI 1.18-1.77), alcohol consumption (OR 2.51, CI 1.63-3.90) and history of childhood abuse (OR 3.7, CI 3.03-4.52) increased the possibility of severe violence. The most important predictor of severe IPA was the partner‘s alcohol consumption (daily or almost daily, OR 14.7, 95% CI 13.25-16.46).
Conclusions
Awareness about the risk factors associated with IPA will help identify populations at greater risk of severe injury and could orient the health sector to direct actions toward this vulnerable population.
Key words: Partner abuse, severity, violence, National Survey, Mexico
Résumé
Objectif
Déceler les facteurs associés à la gravité de la violence envers les partenaires intimes (VPI) au Mexique.
Méthode
Nos données proviennent de l’enquête mexicaine sur la violence envers les femmes (novembre 2002 à novembre 2003), une étude nationale menée auprès de 18 902 femmes de plus de 14 ans. Les sujets recevaient des services de santé de l’État. La gravité de la VPI a été mesurée selon un barème de 27 points. Nous avons effectué des analyses bivariées et multivariées pour approfondir les facteurs significatifs associés à la violence conjugale.
Résultats
Une participante sur quatre a dit être victime de VPI. Notre modèle montre que les femmes plus jeunes et moins instruites présentaient un risque plus élevé de VPI. Le travail à l’extérieur de la maison (RC [rapport de cotes] de 1,3, intervalle de confiance [IC] de 95% = 0,99–1,72), la présence de deux enfants ou plus dans le ménage (RC de 1,44, IC = 1,18–1,77), la consommation d’alcool (RC de 2,51, IC = 1,63–3,90) et les antécédents de violence durant l’enfance (RC de 3,7, IC = 3,03–4,52) augmentaient la possibilité de violence grave. La plus importante variable prédictive de VPI grave était la consommation d’alcool du partenaire (quotidienne ou quasi quotidienne, RC de 14,7, IC de 95% = 13,25–16,46).
Conclusion
La sensibilisation aux facteurs de risque associés à la VPI contribuera à cerner les populations qui courent un plus grand risque de subir des blessures graves et pourrait amener le secteur de la santé à cibler directement cette population vulnérable.
Mots clés: violence conjugale, gravité, violence, enquête nationale, Mexique
Footnotes
Acknowledgments: Our gratitude goes to all the women interviewed for their participation in this study. As well, we acknowledge the financial support provided by the National Center of Gender Equity and Reproductive Health, which made it possible to carry out ENVIM 2003.
Contributor Information
Leticia Avila-Burgos, Email: lavila@insp.mx.
Rosario Valdez-Santiago, Email: rvaldez@insp.mx.
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