Gender-based violence and associated health outcomes against internally displaced women after the Haitiearthquake

University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A Sheen Campus; University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A Sheen Campus; University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A Sheen Campus; University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A Sheen Campus; University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A Sheen Campus

OBJECTIVES:

Limited research following disasters suggests that internally displaced women are disproportionately vulnerable to violence and abuse. The purpose of this study was to investigate gender-based violence (GBV) and health outcomes among Haitian women living in tent cities/camps following the 2010 earthquake. SUBJECTS AND

METHODS:

Culturally sensitive and language appropriate audio-computer assisted self-interviews (ACASI) of 208 internally displaced women in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, were done. Intimate partner violence, nonpartner violence, sexual abuse and emotional abuse history were collected from 20112013.

RESULTS:

Findings showed high prevalence of physical, psychological and sexual abuse, both before (71.2%) and after (75.0%) the earthquake, primarily perpetrated by boyfriends or husbands. Significantly more mental and physical health problems were reported by abused than non-abused women. The most frequent abusers were boyfriends or ex-boyfriends (38.1%) and husbands or exhusbands(42.3%). In addition, among abused women post-earthquake, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts and attempts increased by 104% and 30%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

It is essential that disaster healthcare policies and practices include specific attention to intimate partner violence. Post-disaster violence is often a continuation of the same intimate partner violence women encountered before the disaster occurred. Coordinated planning and implementation of much needed culturally tailored interventions are essential to provide a balanced approach to the care of displaced women after natural disasters, with sensitivity to the abusive occurrences many of the women experience, both before and after the disaster.

Virtual Health Library

Caribbean

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