Evaluation of the Prevalence and Contributing Factors of Psychological Intimate Partner Violence in Infertile Women

Abstract

<strong><em>Background & aim:</em></strong> Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health issue leading to the death of many people every year. Experience of infertility profoundly affects the personal well-being of women. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and contributing factors of psychological IPV in infertile women referring to the infertility centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran in 2011. <br/><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><strong><em>:</em></strong>This cross-sectional study was conducted on 410 infertile women selected via multistage sampling. Demographic data of infertile women (33 items) and their spouses (16 items) were collected. In addition, researcher-made IPV questionnaire (53 items) and general health questionnaire (GHQ) (28 items) were used. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V.16 using descriptive statistics (Chi-square, independent T-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation-coefficient, and linear regression). <br/><strong><em>Results:</em></strong> In total, 410 infertile women were enrolled in this study, 74.3% of whom were victims of psychological IPV. Results of linear regression analysis indicated that psychological IPV and GHQ had significant associations with the ethnicity and physical diseases of the spouses of infertile women (P<0.05). <br/><strong><em>Conclusion:</em></strong> According to the results of this study, rate of psychological IPV in infertile women was relatively high. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare providers implement screening programs for the prevention of psychological IPV and the associated risk factors during infertility treatments. Such interventions could reduce the rate of psychological IPV and improve the general health of community.