Prevalence of Domestic Violence and Perceived Stress Among Married Women in an Urban Area of Puducherry: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Domestic violence is one of the major issues faced globally but it is not addressed properly due to a lack of knowledge about domestic violence and its ill effects. Thus this study aimed to determine the prevalence of domestic violence and perceived stress among married women in an urban area of Puducherry. Methods: Community based cross sectional study was conducted among 350 married women of age in urban Villianur from March 2021 to March 2022. They were interviewed with a questionnaire containing socio-demographic profile and Perceived Stress scale. Results: In this study, the prevalence of domestic violence were 77(22%). Among 350 participants 3.2% had high stress score using Perceived stress scale. There is no significant association with domestic violence and perceived stress. Conclusion: Current prevalence of Domestic violence was high which was similar to studies done in Puducherry and moderate level of perceived stress was reported among the participants. Hence emphasis should be made on finding domestic violence victims in primary health care settings which is an iceberg of the society and helping them by counseling and with programmes available in India.

Keywords

• domestic violence
• perceived stress
• domestic violence determinants
• help seeking behavior