Prevalence and Patterns of Gender-based Violence among Married Women in Peri-urban Bangalore, South India

Background: Globally, one-third of women have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV), which has significant mental and physical health consequences and is an essential component of sexual and reproductive health. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 631 married women in 3 sub-center areas of peri-urban Bangalore. Sample size was calculated to be 524; however, the larger study needed recruitment of husband-and-wife pairs, resulting in a final sample of 631. Demographic Health Survey Questionnaire was administered to assess IPV. Results: Financial control by husbands was reported by 36.8% of the married women. Emotional violence was the most common form of violence (27.3%), followed by psychological violence (23.6%), sexual (14.3%) and physical (7.7%). Younger age (AOR 0.95 (95% CI 0.92–0.99) and lower education (AOR 0.91 (95% CI 0.84–0.97) were associated with emotional violence. Scheduled caste or tribe status (AOR 0.64 (95% CI 0.41–0.99) and lower household asset index (AOR 0.89 (95% CI 0.80- 0.99) were associated with psychological violence. Younger age (AOR 0.93 (95% CI 0.87–0.99), lower education (AOR 0.88 (95% CI 0.78–0.99) and alcohol use by husband (AOR 3.38 (95% CI 1.61–7.13) were associated with physical violence. Younger age (AOR 0.93 (95% CI 0.88, 0.99) was associated with sexual violence. Conclusion: Gender apart, married women experience different types of violence from their husbands due to social and economic factors. Measures should be taken to address the empowerment status of younger women and prevention of violence in families with a focus on early years of marriage.