PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alzahrani, Turki A.
AU  - Abaalkhail, Bahaa A.
AU  - Ramadan, Iman K.
TI  - Prevalence of intimate partner violence and its associated risk factors among Saudi female patients attending the primary healthcare centers in Western Saudi Arabia
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2016.1.13135
DP  - 2016 Jan 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 96--99
VI  - 37
IP  - 1
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/37/1/96.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/37/1/96.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2016 Jan 01; 37
AB  - Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among female patients, age 18-60 years, attending primary health care centers (PHCCs) and to measure its determinants, and reporting behavior.Methods: A cross-sectional study design using validated, translated, and self-administered questionnaire among 497 Saudi female patients attending PHCCs in Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from January to February 2015 was employed. A 2-stage probability sampling was adopted for selection of PHCCs in the first stage, and then participants in the second stage.Results: The estimated prevalence of IPV during the last year was 11.9%. Predictors of IPV related to abused women included divorced status and divorced parents; while those related to abusers (husbands) included widowed parents, exposure to violence in childhood, and alcohol or drugs addiction. Most of the abused wives (56%) talked regarding their IPV to their families, their husbands’ families (15.2%), or their friends (11.8%); while only a minority (3.3%) complained to the police or to a judge, and no one reported this to a family physician, or to women protection agency.Conclusion: One out of 10 women is a victim of IPV in Taif, KSA. Intimate partner violence is significantly associated with a number of victim and abuser-related psychosocial factors, the detection of which might help screening for individuals at risk.