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

ABSTRACT

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 2011–2013. 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.