Domestic violence is a deep-rooted evil in our society, which has an impact on the women’s health and well-being. In a nationwide survey in India, it was observed that 37.2% of women experienced violence after marriage. The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of domestic violence and to identify factors associated with domestic violence, among the ever-married women in reproductive age group in an urban slum of Bhubaneswar city. It was a community based cross-sectional study, conducted in a slum area of Niladri Vihar, Bhubaneswar. The overall prevalence of domestic violence was 35%, of which 34% suffered from physical, 17% from sexual and 35 % emotional violence. Husbands’ were mainly the perprators of crime, followed by in-laws. Presence of property, higher educational qualification and social support were protective factors against domestic violence, whereas alcohol addiction and illeteracy of husband were important contributory factors for it. The prevalence of domestic violence in this study was comparable with studies done in other parts of India. The study recommends more social support, awareness and income generation for women in the slum areas.

Keywords: Physical violence, Domestic violence, Social support, urban slum, ever married, women.

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Ipsa Mohapatra

Assistant Professor, Dept of Community Medicine

Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar