Characteristics of abused women who consulted at Daveyton Central Clinic: a two year review

Abstract

Background: The choice of this research topic emanated from my personal experience as Medical Officer at Daveyton central Clinic where I personally attended to an average of three rapes or wife battering cases on a weekly basis and usually many more during festive periods. When compared to my colleagues working in other centres like Pretoria, the prevalence, types and features of the abused women differs which implies that the characteristics might differ from province to province and against this background that the researcher intended to conduct this research. Aims: The broad aim of this study is to explore the characteristics of abused women who consulted at Daveyton clinic between January 2008 and December 2009. Methodology: Data was collected at Daveyton central clinic which is under Ekurhuleni municipality. A descriptive quantitative study was used based on records of abused women who consulted at the clinic between January 2008 and December 2009. All the files of the women who consulted within the specified period were retrieved and every file with a history of violence against women (VAW) was selected. The analysis was based on the information that were written in the files of the patient by the health workers at the centre. Results: The study indicated that the majority of the participants (72 %) were below the age of 30 years. Among the abused women 59.8 % were single. All the women were living in the Daveyton township area. Only five (2%) of the cases had no formal education or stopped at primary school level, while 88.8 % had at least a secondary school education and the rest 9.2 % had tertiary education. About 45.4 % of the cases were unemployed and 14.7 % were students. This gives a total of close to 60.1 % of cases who are economically inactive and dependent. The rest of the respondents were either in full time (13.9 %) or in part time (25.9 %) employment. At the time of presentation at the centre, more than quarters (29.6 % and 27.6 % respectively) were traumatized or confused, 19.8 % injured and 19.3 % were reserved. Almost half (47.4 %) of the abuse cases were sexually abused, followed by physical abuse at 41.8 % while emotional abuse were 6.3 % and economical abuse were 4 %. Over a half (55.4%) of women abused alcohol, 16.7 % used tobacco and 15 % used illicit drug while 12.8 % of women did not use any form of substances. At the time of presentation at the centre, the following personality traits from abused women were observed; almost 36 % of the abused women were angry, 20.6 % were stubborn and 24.9 % were submissive while 14.8 % were aggressive. Majority of women (63 %) reported abuse yearly. There were more abuse during festive period (67.7 %). About one fifth (18 %) of women were abused during their pregnancy and 82% were not pregnant. 38% of abused women had no child while about 61 % had 1 to 6 children. Two third (61.5 %) of the women were abused by their husband or partners. Further analysis revealed that age was significantly associated with different types of abuse as younger women (<30 years) were more abused than older women (p = 0.011). Marital status was also significantly associated with different types of abuse (p = 0.001). This means that single or divorced or separated women were more likely to be victims of sexual abuse. Women’s employment status was statistically associated with types of abuse as physical and sexual abuse were more common among women who were unemployed or had part time employment (p<0.001). Types of abuse was associated with substance abuse as prevalence of physical and sexual abuse were more common among women who took alcohol (p = 0.019) It was found that types of abuse and period of reporting were significantly associated as physical and sexual abuse were reported more during festive seasons (p = 0.006) Types of abuse was significantly associated with relationship with the perpetrator (p<0.001). This indicated that women were emotionally or economically abused more by father or uncle or where there was more than one perpetrator. Conclusion: The following characteristics were observed from women who consulted at Daveyton central clinic for abuse; most were between 11-30 years and single (59.8 %).Most of them were economically inactive. It was evident from data analysis that most of them had low level of education (90.8 % - secondary education or lower) and they struggle to get employment. Another characteristic was that 60.1 % of cases were still students or unemployed and therefore depended on their partners for financial support, which in some cases were elderly men. Most of them presented traumatized at the centre and the commonest form of abuse experienced was sexual abuse. Most of the abused women were found angry. Most of them came for consultation during festive periods. This could probably be related to heavy alcohol consumption during these periods. Key words: Domestic violence, Characteristics of abused women, patterns of reporting.