Prevalence and determinants of male partner violence against Mexican women: a population-based study

To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for violence against women, inflicted by their male partners, in a representative sample of women residing in the metropolitan area of Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico.

A population-based study was conducted from June to September 1998, among 1,535 women aged 15 to 49 years. Principal components analysis was used to determine the domains of violence that served as the dependent variable. Polynomial logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Prevalence of low-moderate level violence was 35.8%, while prevalence of severe violence was 9.5%. The lifetime prevalence of reported rape was 5.9%. The main factors associated with violence were socio-economic status (OR=0.57; 95% CI=0.34-0.95); education level, both of the women studied (test for trend p=0.01) and of the male partner (test for trend p=0.002); number of years living with partner (OR=2.63; 95% CI=1.55-4.45), alcohol use (OR=2.56; 95% CI=2.02-3.25), illegal drug use by partner (OR=6.17; 95% CI=2.37-16.03); violence during childhood (OR=3.40; 95% CI=2.23-5.18), and a history of rape (OR=5.89; 95% CI=2.78-12.5).

Study findings confirm that violence against women is a prevalent phenomenon in Mexico. Awareness-raising campaigns about male partner violence should bring this important issue to the front of public discussion. Such efforts will help assure that future generations do not experience partner violence to the extent that contemporary Mexican women do.