Gender Differences in Health Symptoms Associated with the Exposure to Physical Violence in Family: Data From the 2006 National Health Survey in Serbia

• NCJ Number: 245502
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 8 Dated: November 2013 Pages: 753-761
• Author(s): Bosiljka Djikanovic; Elizabeth J. King; Vesna Bjegovic-Mikanovic
• Date Published: November 2013
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study analyzed gender differences in exposure to family violence in Serbia and its association with health symptoms.

Abstract

This study analyzed gender differences in exposure to family violence in Serbia and its association with health symptoms. Using data from the National Health Survey 2006 in Serbia, univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were run to examine the association between exposure to physical violence in the family in the past 12 months and the occurrence of 15 different health symptoms in the past 4 weeks. Out of 12,646 interviewed adults older than 20, women reported experiencing family violence nearly 1.7 times more often than men 1.28 percent vs. 0.75 percent. Women had nine health symptoms significantly associated with experienced violence, while men had four, even after controlling for socio-demographic characteristics. Depression and insomnia were common for both genders. Results suggest that physicians should pay attention to health complaints, consider family violence as an associated factor, and address violence in a gender sensitive way that is free of prejudice and preconceptions. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.