Year: 2026 | Month: February | Volume: 16 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 136-144
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260217
Intimate Partner Violence in Married Women with Common Mental Disorders in a Rural District of Assam: A Cross-Sectional Study
Dr. Parimita Roychoudhury1, Dr. Rinku Borah2, Dr. Sabrina Yasmin3
1,2,3Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Dhubri Medical College & Hospital, Dhubri, Assam
Corresponding Author: Dr. Parimita Roychoudhury
ABSTRACT
Background: WHO (2013) defines Intimate partner violence (IPV) as psychologically, physically and sexually abusive acts committed against women by their partners. IPV towards women is a global public health challenge and the association of Common mental disorders (CMDs) with it in primary care settings is an under‑researched topic in Northeastern part of India.
Aim & objectives: To study the proportion of Intimate Partner Violence in married women with Common Mental Disorders (CMD) in a rural district of Assam.
Methodology: Community based cross sectional study done in sampled villages of Boko Bongaon block, Kamrup District (Rural), Assam for one year among married women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years). The respondents were interviewed using screening instruments Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) for CMD Among the women found to be CMD positive the proportion of IPV was assessed.
Results: Among the 900 married women in the age group of 15 -49 years the mean age was 30±8 years. The prevalence of Common Mental Disorder among the women was found to be 12.67%. Out of the respondents Majority (37.37%) complained of verbal abuse by husband, out of 114 women who had CMD, 80 (70.17%) had history of any form of IPV. The association of CMD in women and presence of IPV in them is statistically significant.
Conclusion: From the study it has been observed that a huge impact of intimate partner violence on the mental health of women whether it is psychological, physical, or sexual. There is a need for awareness and effective management of violence against women, especially in rural areas also integrating for policy and practice.
Key words: Mental health, Common Mental Disorders, Intimate Partner Violence, Reproductive age group