Background. Intimate partner violence is a global health issue and is associated with a range of health problems for women. Nurses, as the largest health workforce globally, are well positioned to provide care for abused women. Objectives. This nursing-led interdisciplinary project was conducted to understand the current state of knowledge about intimate partner violence in Ethiopia and make recommendations for country-specific activities to improve response to intimate partner violence through practice changes, education, and research. Methods. The project involved two phases: review of relevant literature and an interdisciplinary stakeholder forum and a meeting with nurse educators. Findings. The literature review identified the pervasiveness and complexity of intimate partner violence and its sociocultural determinants in the Ethiopian context. Two significant themes emerged from the forum and the meeting: the value of bringing multiple disciplines together to address the complex issue of intimate partner violence and the need for health care professionals to better understand their roles and responsibilities in actively addressing intimate partner violence. Conclusions. Further research on the topic is needed, including studies of prevention and resilience and “best practices” for education and intervention. Interdisciplinary and international research networks can support local efforts to address and prevent intimate partner violence. 1. Introduction Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as the threat of, and/or actual, physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal abuse by a current or former spouse or nonmarital partner [1]. At a global level, IPV occurs in epidemic proportions; the rates of IPV are comparable to those for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and HIV/AIDS [2]. IPV has been linked to a range of physical and mental health problems [3–7] that may persist long after the violence has ended. Although IPV is considered to be a global public health problem, few health sciences studies have focused on it in low-income countries. This gap is a major impediment to improving the response of local health sectors to the needs of women who are experiencing IPV in these countries and to improving health equity for women everywhere [8]. In particular, the response of nurses as frontline care providers could be improved. This paper presents the findings from a nurse-led, international, interdisciplinary project aimed at understanding the current situation of IPV in Ethiopia and developing recommendations for country-specific activities to address
References
[1]
United Nations, “Declaration on the elimination of violence against women,” in Proceedings of the Canada-USA Women’s Health Forum, p. 6, New York, 1993.
[2]
L. L. Heise, J. Pitanguy, and A. Germain, “Violence against women: the hidden health burden,” International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank, Washington, DC, USA.
[3]
K. K. Eby, J. Campbell, C. Sullivan, and W. Davidson, “Health effects of experiences of sexual violence for women with abusive partners.,” Health Care for Women International, vol. 16, no. 6, pp. 563–576, 1995.
[4]
J. C. Campbell and L. A. Lewandowski, “Mental and physical health effects of intimate partner violence on women and children,” Psychiatric Clinics of North America, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 353–374, 1997.
[5]
A. L. Coker, P. H. Smith, L. Bethea, M. R. King, and R. E. McKeown, “Physical health consequences of physical and psychological intimate partner violence,” Archives of Family Medicine, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 451–457, 2000.
[6]
M. Velzeboer, M. Ellsberg, C. C. Arcas, and C. Garcia-Morano, Violence against Women: The Health Sector Responds, Pan American Health Organization Occasional Publication, No.12, Pan American Organization, Washington, DC, USA, 2003.
[7]
J. Humphreys, P. W. Sharps, and J. C. Campbell, “What we know and what we still need to learn,” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 182–187, 2005.
[8]
World Health Organization, “Multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence against women,” Summary report: initial results on prevalence, health outcomes and women's responses, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2006.
[9]
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Health, “National reproductive health strategy, 2006–2015: the social and institutional parameters of women’s health,” 2006.
[10]
World Bank Group, Ethiopia: Country profile, 2007, http://web.worldbank.org/wbsite/external/countries/africaext/ethiopiaextn/0,menuPK:295935~pagePK:141159~piPK:141110~theSitePK:295930,00.html.
[11]
World Health Organization (WHO), “WHO country cooperation strategy 2008–2011 Ethiopia,” Canada, 2009, http://www.who.int/countryfocus/cooperation_strategy/ccs_eth_en.pdf.
[12]
I. Hyman, S. Guruge, R. Mason et al., “Post-migration changes in gender relations among ethiopian couples living in Canada,” Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 74–89, 2004.
[13]
I. Hyman, S. Guruge, and R. Mason, “The impact of post-migration changes on marital relationships: a study of Ethiopian immigrant couples in Toronto,” Journal of Comparative Family Studies, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 149–164, 2008.
[14]
N. Deyessa, Y. Berhane, A. Alem et al., “Intimate partner violence and depression among women in rural Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study,” Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health, vol. 5, no. 8, 2009.
[15]
G. Amdie, Gender based violence and risk of HIV infection among women attending VCT service in Addis Ababa City, M.S. thesis, Addis Ababa University, School of Public Health, 2005.
[16]
M. Eyoel, Patterns of intimate partner violence among married women of Awassa Town, M.S. thesis, Addis Ababa University, Institute of Gender Studies, 2007.
[17]
A. Hundie, Cause and consequences of early marriage among Selale Oromo women: the case of Hindabu Abote and Kuyu Woredas, North Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, M.S. thesis, Institute of Gender Studies, 2007.
[18]
A. D. Tadegge, “The mental health consequences of intimate partner violence against women in AgaroTown, southwest Ethiopia,” Tropical Doctor, vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 228–229, 2008.
[19]
Y. Dibaba, “Prevalence and correlates of intimate partner physical violence against women in Kofale District, Ethiopia,” Tropical Doctor, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 52–54, 2008.
[20]
H. Kedir, N. Deyessa, and Y. Berhane, “Magnitude and immediate outcome of partner physical violence,” in Proceedings of the Ethiopian Public Health Association 15th Annual Public Health Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 2004.
[21]
T. Yigzaw, A. Yibrie, and Y. Kebede, “Domestic violence around Gondar in north-west Ethiopia,” Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, vol. 18, pp. 133–139, 2004.
[22]
B. S. ManjuRani, S. Bonu, and N. Diop-Sidibé, “An empirical investigation of attitudes towards wife-beating among men and women in seven sub-Saharan African countries.,” African Journal of Reproductive Health, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 116–136, 2004.
[23]
B. Gizaw, Some Reflection on Criminalizing Domestic Violence Against Women With Emphasis in Ethiopia, CERTWID, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2002.
[24]
Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, Nationwide Survey on Domestic Violence, Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008.
[25]
A. Gessessew and M. Mesfin, “Rape and health problems in Adigrat Zonal Hospital,” Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, vol. 18, pp. 140–144, 2004.
[26]
M. Muleta and G. Williams, “Postcoital injuries treated at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, 1991–97,” Lancet, vol. 354, no. 9195, pp. 2051–2052, 1999.
[27]
W. Demissie, Gender based violence and risk of HIV infection among women attending ANC service HIV sentinel surveillance sites in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, M.S. thesis, Addis Ababa University, School of Public Health, 2007.
[28]
H. Tegegne, The interface between violence against women and HIV/AIDS: the experience of HIV positive women beneficiaries of the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa-Ethiopia, M.S. thesis, Addis Ababa University, Institute of Gender Studies, 2007.
[29]
S. Mizana, F. Ararsa, B. Tadesse, and B. Workineh, “YesetLig Telefa be Kofele ena DoDola Woredawoch: Nehase 1996 Adama,” Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association: Adama Branch, 2003.
[30]
Y. Gossaye, N. Deyessa, Y. Berhane, M. Ellsberg, and M. Emmelin, “Butajira rural health program: women’s life events study in rural Ethiopia,” Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, vol. 17, 2nd supplement, pp. 1–51, 2003.
[31]
K. J. Lalor, “Street children: a comparative perspective,” Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 23, no. 8, pp. 759–770, 1999.
[32]
Pathfinder International Ethiopia, “Gender mainstreaming in reproductive health, family planning and HIV/AIDS programs,” Addis Ababa Pathfinder International Ethiopia, March 2007.
[33]
H. Wondimu, H. Terefe, and Y. O. Abdi, Gender and Cross Cultural Dynamics in Ethiopia: A Study of Eleven Ethnic Groups, Addis Ababa University, Library, Center for Research Training and Information on Women in Development, Institute of Development Research.
[34]
A. Mohamed, Violence against women and girls in the pastoralist communities of Oromia and Afar regions: the case of Fentale and Mille Districts, M.S. thesis, Addis Ababa University, Institute of Gender Studies, 2007.
[35]
Federal Police of Ethiopia Research and Investigation Guidance Office, “Yeasgededo Medferena, Telefa, Wonjel, Menseawochachew ena Yemiasketeluwachew Gudatoch Beethiopia,” Ginbot: Federal Police of Ethiopia Research and Investigation Guidance Office, 1998.
[36]
Transitional Government of Ethiopia, National Policy on Ethiopian Women, Transitional Government of Ethiopia, Office of the Prime Minister, Addis Ababa, 1993.
[37]
Transitional Government of Ethiopia, Health Sector Strategy, Transitional Government of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 1995.
