Figure 3: Knowledge of the subjects regarding domestic violence
Figure 3 shows that majority of the subjects 97(49%) had poor knowledge, 66(33%) subjects had average knowledge and 37 (18%) had good knowledge regarding
various aspects of domestic violence. The mean score of knowledge regarding domestic violence was 7.8 which suggest that the subjects had average knowledge ie score between 7 and 13.
Table 3: Item wise analysis of selected items in knowledge questionnaire n = 200
No.Sl. Knowledge about Correct Incorrect
f % f %
1. Minimum marital age for
women 89 44.5 111 56.5
2. Authorized organization fighting against domestic
violence 150 75 50 25
3. Kerala police women
helpline number 35 17.5 165 82.5 4. Local protection system
available in case of an act
of violence 60 30 140 70
5. Whom to be informed first if domestic violence
happens 124 62 76 38
6. Identifying correct statement about domestic
violence 85 42.5 115 57.5 7. Identifying sexual
violence from other types
of violence 82 41 118 59
Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, April-June 2018, Vol.9, No. 2 133 Table 3 shows that most of the subjects (56.5%)
were not aware of the minimum marital age of women, 57.5% women could not identify the correct statement about domestic violence, 82.5% subjects did not know about the Kerala police women helpline number, 140 subjects(70%) were not aware about local protection system available in case of an act of violence. Fifty nine percentages of women could not identify sexual violence from other forms of violence. But 150 subjects (75%) were aware about authorized organization fighting against domestic violence and 62% were aware about whom to be informed first if domestic violence happens.
dISCuSSION
The current study shows that, of the 200 subjects 43% of women experienced domestic violence at the time of the study and 57% had not experienced the domestic violence. Also, 30%, 39%, 8%, and 2% of the total subjects were experiencing physical, emotional, economical and sexual violence respectively. Out of 61(30%) women who are currently experiencing physical violence, majority, ie.26.2% subjects were the victims of beating and kicking.
International Clinical Epidemiologists Network (INCLEN) has provided reliable estimates on the prevalence of domestic violence as well as its correlates (INCLEN, 2000). 50 percent of women experienced at least one of the violent behaviors. 43.5 percent reported at least one psychologically abusive behaviour and 40.3 percent reported experiencing at least one form of violent physical behavior5. Current study findings are also supported by study conducted by the research institute of Rajagiri, Kochi, Kerala. The study found that a total of 81.6% of the victims of domestic violence had to suffer physical violence. Beating was the prominent the most common mode of physical attack (27%).9 Similar findings are observed in study conducted in Delhi6.
According to National Family Health Survey-3, 85%
of ever married women who have experienced violence experienced it from their current husband. Only 2%
mention mother-in-law as the perpetrator7.The 2012 National Crime Records Bureau report of India states a reported domestic cruelty by husband or his relatives as 5.9 per 100,000. Findings are in par with the present study findings.8 The current study shows that, of the 87 women experiencing domestic violence, 93.1% are experiencing the domestic violence from their husband and only 4.6%
are experiencing it from the mother-in-law.
Nearly half of the subjects (49%) had poor knowledge regarding domestic violence and 33% had average knowledge and remaining (18%) had good knowledge. This shows that even though female literacy is high in Kerala, women are unaware of domestic violence.
In the study conducted by Sakhi resource centre point out that more than 90% of the respondents in Ernakulam do not know of any organizations or individuals in the district who could help the women to face violence. All the same 74% believed that it was the right of the women to react to the domestic violence 9 . The New Indian Express news reported that around 40 per cent of women have no idea about domestic violence act10.
The current study also shows that, when assessed the attitude of the women regarding beatings from their husbands in the knowledge questionnaire, 91%
responded that husband does not have the right to beat the wife. This finding has equal footing with the study conducted by Sakhi as it shows that eighty three percentage of the respondents in Ernakulam believed that husbands did not have a right to beat their wives 9.
Centre for women studies and development as a part of their study assessed the knowledge of victims of domestic violence in Ernakulam. About 53.1% of the total subjects were ignorant about organizations or individuals addressing the domestic violence. One fourth of the total victims knew about the counseling centres and services that they provide11.
CONCluSION
A considerable proportion of women in rural parts of Kerala experience domestic violence. Also women have limited knowledge regarding various aspects of domestic violence and ways to seek help. The finding was indeed surprising because women in Kerala are well educated and living in a better social status compared to other states in India. There is need for sensitization and awareness programs for women with regard to domestic violence and services available to them.
Source of Funding: Self.
Conflict of Interest: Nil
134 Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, April-June 2018, Vol.9, No. 2
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