Prevalence and risk factors for domestic violence against infertile women in an Iranian setting.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for domestic violence against women with female factor infertility in an Iranian setting. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey conducted from August 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010, 400 women with primary infertility attending Valiasr Reproductive Health Research Center in Tehran, Iran, were interviewed using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales questionnaire (CTS(2)). This instrument was developed to investigate the presence domestic violence. RESULTS: A total of 247 women (61.8%) reported having experienced domestic violence because of their infertility. The most common type of violence was psychological (n=135 [33.8%]), followed by physical (n=56 [14%]) and sexual (n=32 [8%]), with 24 women (6%) reporting injuries. All women reported their husbands to be the perpetrators. CONCLUSION: Domestic violence against infertile women is a considerable yet unreported problem. Clinicians should identify the abused women and provide them with medical care and supportive counseling.