Frequency and Risk Factors of Cognizable Physical Violence by Intimate Partner Against Women Seeking Medical Care at a Tertiary Care Centre, Karachi

Objective: To determine the cognizable frequency of physical violence by intimate partners against women seeking medical care at a tertiary care center, Karachi. Methods: A hospital based cross sectional survey was conducted at a medical care emergency of a tertiary care center, Karachi. The sample size was 345. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for selecting the study subject. A Performa was used to collect the information directly through recorded data and interviews. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS software version 15. Means with standard deviation for numerical variables and proportions for categorical variables are presented. Chi square test was performed for association of education level and occupation with frequency of physical violence by intimate partners. Results: There were 345 cases reported during August 2014 to February 2015. Mean age +/- SD was 33.50 +/- 8.41 years and family income 1,855 +/- 962 rupees per month. Cognizable physical violence was observed in 286 (77.7%) by intimate partners against women seeking medical care at a tertiary care center Karachi. Housewives were 271 (78.6%) seeking care for physical violence injury. Fractures were found in 226 (65.5%) women. There was no education in 46 (13.3%) and 5 year education was 191 (55.4%). The percentage of cognizable physical violence was 77.7%. Non-cognizable physical violence found higher among younger age group 24-36 years as compare to older women. Conclusion: The frequency of cognizable physical violence was two third by intimate partners against women seeking medical care in metropolis megacity, Karachi. Major risk factors found were age more than 36 years, housewives, low family income and only five years education.