Violencia doméstica contra la mujer en pacientes femeninas del Ambulatorio Belén. Mérida. Venezuela

Abstract

The main objective of this cross-section research was to study of domestic violence against women. It was conducted at Belen Ambulatory Hospital, Merida State, Venezuela. The sample was 200 women selected through stratified random sampling. The objectives were: estimate the prevalence of the domestic violence against women, describe its epidemiologic characterization, and estimate the statistical association between some demographic variables and violence. The results revealed that the majority of the studied population suffered domestic violence (74%). The abuse was more frequent in young women (76.5%), married women (38.5%), housewives (41.5%), and those women with a low level or incomplete secondary instruction (26.5%). The associated variables were: the family structure (X² = 19.759 P<0.05), the aggressive character of the family members (X² = 6.804 P<0.05), alcohol ingestion (X² = 9.954 P<0.05). The irritable character among the family members, alcohol ingestion, jealousy, and economical problems were observed among the most important facilitator elements