Abstract

MORAES, Sandra Dircinha Teixeira de Araujo et al. Impact of domestic and sexual violence on women's health. Rev. bras. crescimento desenvolv. hum. [online]. 2012, vol.22, n.2, pp.253-258. ISSN 0104-1282.

INTRODUCTION: domestic violence and, particularly, sex can result in higher incidence of comorbidities in the climacteric. OBJECTIVE: to assess the effects of menopause on sexual and domestic violence. METHODS: sectional study in 124 postmenopausal women between 40 and 65, who suffered domestic violence and / or sexual, and a control group (124) composed (climacteric women who did not suffer violence) (N=120). Those who exposed to violence were divided into three groups 1 violence experienced in childhood and adolescence 2- adult phase 3- both phases. Subsequently a questionnaire on domestic and sexual violence was applied.Correlation was established for the intensity of climacteric symptoms measured with Menopausal Kupperman Index (MKI), type of violence experienced, stage of life exposesd to violence comorbidities during menopause, and women's perceptions about the quality of assistance received from the various professionals after the traumatic events. In the control group MKI and number of comorbidities were evaluated. RESULTS: those who have experienced violence in childhood/adolescence have average of 5.1 comorbidities; adulthood 4.6, and 4.4 in both phases, with a median of 5.0 in all phases, without violence (control) 2.8. The victims of sexual violence have more comorbidities compared those who underwent other types of violence. There were significant associations between having suffered any kind of violence in both phases and MKI serious and have suffered sexual violence at any stage of life, and MKI at least moderate. CONCLUSION: women who have experienced domestic and sexual violence have more comorbidities and MKI high compared to the control group.

Keywords : domestic violence; sexual violence; menopause; climacteric co morbidities; menopausal Kupperman Index.

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