Abuse and mental disorders among women at walk-in clinics in Trinidad: A cross-sectional study

BMC Family Practice

Research Article

Colanne Alexander¹  Gina P Tanwing¹  Teri-Ann Rampaul¹  Aysha Edwards¹  Candace H Bridglal¹  Sharlene Sanchez¹  Kristy Thomas¹  Hassina Mohammed¹  Rohan G Maharaj² 

[1] Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago;The Unit of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago;

关键词: Sexual Abuse;    Suicidal Ideation;    Woman Abuse;    Regional Health Authority;    Primary Care Evaluation;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2296-11-26

 received in 2009-11-11, accepted in 2010-03-30,  发布年份 2010

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundTo determine the prevalence of abuse by their partners and its association with mental disorders among female patients at walk-in clinics in Trinidad.MethodsFemale participants from 16 randomly selected walk-in clinics, previously stratified to represent all administrative regions and urban and rural settings, who were 18 years or older, were surveyed during May to August 2007 using the WAST-Short and PRIME-MD questionnaires.Results432 women participated (a 92% response rate), Of these 16% were aged 20-29, 11.8% 30-39 and 19% 40-49; 37% were married, 25% single; 44.7% were Indo- and 35% Afro-Trinidadian; 67.8% had achieved education up to age 14 only. 30.3% were employed and 3.0% reported incomes more than $5,001 TTD (Trinidad and Tobago Dollars) per month. Forty percent (173) of all respondents were positive for abuse as scored by the WAST-Short scale. Chi-square analysis suggested associations (p < 0.05) between abuse and age, employment status, being in a current relationship, and having the desire to cut down on alcohol intake. Further there were associations between abuse and the presence of depression, suicidal ideation, post-traumatic stress disorder and somatization as determined by the PRIME-MD scale. Logistic regression showed that the statistically significant (p < 0.05) predictors of woman abuse were age less than 49, wanting to cut down on alcohol use and currently being in a relationship.ConclusionAmong women of primarily lower socioeconomic status who attend walk-in clinics in Trinidad abuse as measured by the WAST-Short scale is high and there are statistically significant associations with mental disorders as determined by the PRIME-MD scale.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Maharaj et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010