NCJ Number
225751
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2009 Pages: 224-250
Date Published
February 2009
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the prevalence, types, and patterns of intimate partner violence (IPV) during lifetime and current pregnancy women in Lima, Peru.
Abstract
Findings indicate that IPV is relatively common among women who live in Lima and is comparable to frequencies of abuse reported for other developing countries. Results indicated a high lifetime (45.1 percent) and during pregnancy (21.5 percent) prevalence of IPV among pregnant women in Lima, Peru. Isolated sexual violence is infrequent in this population of women, but physical and emotional violence are the most commonly reported types of IPV. The high prevalence of IPV suggests that primary and secondary prevention are urgently needed in Peru. Primary intervention involving IPV screening in health care settings and the promotion f awareness of IPV among male and female youth and young adults can help change awareness of IPV and subsequently reduce IPV in the population. Asking about IPV in screening interviews is a powerful statement of the abused woman because it brings to light a problem that is not often acknowledged and supports disclosure. The goal for secondary prevention is to identify women who have experienced any type of IPV and to provide appropriate referral to organizations that can offer effective social, legal, and health services to abused women. Data were collected from 2,392 women who delivered at the Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal (INMP) in Lima, Peru between August 11, 2005, and June 30, 2006. Figures, tables, and references