Health and social implications of Gender Based Violence

Suneela Garg; M.M Singh; Samar Hossain; Indu Arora

Volume : VIII, Issue : VI, June - 2019

Health and social implications of Gender Based Violence

Suneela Garg, M. M Singh, Samar Hossain, Indu Arora

Abstract :

Background – Gender based violence is now seen as a public health problem. The prevalence and incidence of this violence has been well documented in both clinic–based and population based studies. It is linked to physical injuries, poor mental health, including depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide ideation and to a wide range of adverse physical health outcomes Objectives–To find out the physical and social implications related to Gender Based Violence Methods–A prospective cohort study was conducted in the ante natal clinic of Lok Nayak Hospital affliated to Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) located in Central Delhi. all the pregnant women up–to 20 weeks of gestation attending Obstetrics and gynaecology OPD on alternate day at Lok Nayak Hospital were considered. Approximately it was estimated that 1000 pregnant women would be covered. Results– The 1000 enrolled women, 279 (28.0%) were found to suffer from domestic violence. Among those subjects who were victims of domestic violence, 119 (30.7%) subjects reported presence of physical symptoms. 279 (27.9%) reported that they experienced physical symptoms like headache, gastrointestinal, chronic pain, genital soreness and vaginal bleeding Conclusion– Adequately address partner violence and its long–term sequelae of societal impacts for women and children, there must be an environment of support rather than blame for victims, accountability and early interventions for abusive partners, and a societal commitment to zero tolerance for partner abuse. Healthcare providers can be instrumental in identifying and helping women.