Examining Violence Against Women Among Individuals with a History of Deliberate Self-Harm: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Violence against women, particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence is a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights. Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime1. Violence can negatively affect women’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health, and may increase the risk of acquiring HIV in some settings. Violence can lead to depression, post-traumatic stress and other anxiety disorders, sleep difficulties, eating disorders and suicide attempts2. Materials and method: Using the criterion sampling, participants were selected in a tertiary care hospital. Assessments tools include COLUMBIA- SUICIDE SEVERITY RATING SCALE(C-SSRS), SEVERITY OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN SCALE. The objectives were to evaluate the proportion of women who are exposed to violence among those who attempted deliberate self-harm. SPSSv20.0 was used to analyse the data. Results: Out of 68 participants,24 used OP poisoning as a method of self-harm.27.9% had moderate-severe suicidal intensity. 29.4 % had no suicidal intensity. 52.9% had lethality score of 2 which signifies moderate physical damage. 33.8% had mild violence. 7.4% had serious violence plus sexual aggression. There was significant correlation between severity of suicidal intensity and severity of violence. (p =0.002). Conclusion: The results point to a significant correlation between severity of suicidal ideation intensity and violence. This highlights that violence being one of the risk factors for deliberate self-harm. This warrants us for public education against domestic violence and timely psychosocial management of the vulnerable cases through a protracted community based mental health program, which will help to reduce the frequency of DSH and domestic violence.