Volume 6, Issue 10 e1627
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Open Access

Domestic violence against Iranian women during the Covid-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional study

Maryam Gharacheh

Maryam Gharacheh

Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Contribution: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, ​Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Software, Supervision, Writing - original draft

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Tahereh Sadeghi

Tahereh Sadeghi

Nursing and Midwifery School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Contribution: Methodology, Writing - review & editing

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Mojgan Mirghafourvand

Mojgan Mirghafourvand

Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Nursing and Midwifery School, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Contribution: Conceptualization, Project administration, Writing - review & editing

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Simin Montazeri

Simin Montazeri

Department of Midwifery, Reproductive Health Promotion Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Contribution: Conceptualization, Methodology, Project administration, Writing - review & editing

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Shayesteh Jahanfar

Shayesteh Jahanfar

Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA

Contribution: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Methodology, Writing - review & editing

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Fahimeh Ranjbar

Corresponding Author

Fahimeh Ranjbar

Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Correspondence Fahimeh Ranjbar, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Rashid Yasemi St., Valiasr Ave., Tehran, Iran.

Email: [email protected]

Contribution: Conceptualization, Project administration, Writing - review & editing

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First published: 10 October 2023

Abstract

Background and Aims

Despite the fact that public health measures such as social isolation can help control the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, these procedures may contribute to elevated levels of stress and escalate various forms of violence against women. The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of domestic violence and identify factors associated with domestic violence during the Covid-19 lockdown among married women attending healthcare centers in Iran.

Methods

This cross-sectional study, conducted between 2020 and 2021, focused on a sample of 5317 married women who sought healthcare services within urban centers across five major cities in Iran. Sampling was done through a multistage cluster method. The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) were used to assess levels of violence. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent sample t-test, Chi-square, and multiple logistic regression) with the SPSS software version 22.

Results

During the Covid-19 lockdown, psychological violence was reported by 66.7% of women (95% confidence interval [CI], 65.44%–67.98%), physical violence by 44.8% (95% CI, 43.43%–46.10%), sexual violence by 28.8% (95% CI, 27.60%–30.03%), and injury by 24.5% (95% CI, 23.39%–25.70%). The multiple logistic regression showed several significant factors associated with domestic violence. These included low levels of social support (p < 0.001), shorter duration of marriage (p < 0.001), unemployment of both women (p < 0.007) and their spouses (p < 0.001), poor economic status (p < 0.001), as well as substance abuse by the husband, including alcohol (p < 0.001) and drug abuse (p < 0.01), and smoking (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The findings highlighted the magnitude of domestic violence against women during the Covid-19 lockdown. It is crucial to implement comprehensive strategies that encompass preventive and responsive measures to address domestic violence not only during lockdowns but also in the post-lockdown period.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Data available on request from the corresponding author.

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