The Impact of Violence on Womens Health - Report Example

The Impact of Violence on Women’s Health of Learning The Impact of Violence on Women’s Health In the world, millions of girls and women suffer from violence and its consequences because of their gender and unequal status in society. Violence against women (often referred to as gender-based violence) is a serious violation of human rights of women. Despite this, very little attention is paid to the effects of violence on health and medical needs of women and girls affected by violence. Women who have experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence suffer from a range of serious medical problems, because “violence against women is associated with many negative health consequences for women” (García-Moreno, 2002). The problem is that women often suffer in silence, not trying to receive medical care. Physical and mental health of the women who faced violence is much worse than the health of women in general, because they much more often get a variety of injuries and thus their need for medical care is much higher. In general, the negative value of violence against womens health is manifested in the fact that it disrupts the nervous, digestive, circulatory, and reproductive systems that even might lead to women’s deaths in some cases. This paper analyzes the negative impact of violence on womens health as well as its forms and factors. Statistical Data on the Issue According to statistics, in the world, one of three women is subjected to at least one form of gender-based violence in her lifetime (Heise, Ellsberg, & Gottemoeller, 1999). In turn, “In the United States, more than 700,000 women are sexually assaulted each year, or one woman every 45 seconds” (Wyshak, 2000). Even in North America that “is seen as a place where women have equal rights and equal status” one can observe the different types of violence against women (Robinson, 2003). There is statistical data supporting the idea that the problem of violence against women has become global. In particular, “according to the United Nations (UN), it has already reached epidemic levels and it keeps growing; confronting it is recommended in order to achieve millennium development goals” (Palhoni, Amaral, & Penna, 2014). The most common forms of violence against women are presented by a physical, sexual, and emotional abuse by a husband or intimate partner. In addition, the violence is faced not only by young, but also by mature women. In particular, as noted by Zink, Jacobson, Regan, & Pabst (2004), often “intimate partner violence (IPV) is a problem in older women,” namely under 55. The Forms of Violence against Women As noted earlier, violence against women has a very negative role for womens health. In this regard, one can indicate the different types of violence against women, which can lead not only to serious health problems but even to death. One needs to point to rapes in war that are used as a weapon for the destruction of communities and as part of ethnic cleansing. Similarly, sexual violence against women in refugee camps and centers for the displaced is a very serious problem. In addition, forced sexual debut and sexual abuse of children can be found all over the world. Crosscutting research has shown that 40% of women in South Africa, 28% of women in Tanzania, and 7% of women in New Zealand reported that their first sexual experience was sexual violence (Watts, & Zimmerman, 2002). Unfortunately, sexual violence continues to be one of the most common forms of violence against women. In particular, a review of research in 20 countries has showed that the prevalence of sexual violence against girls is ranging from 7% to 36% (Finkelhor, 1994). Most men-rapists knew the victim (Watts, & Zimmerman, 2002). Early marriages without the consent of the girls can also be seen as a form of violence. Early marriages are most often found in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Official data on very early marriage (with children under 15 years) are limited, but studies show that in East and West Africa, for example, marriages with seven-year girls can be often observed. Early marriages restrict access to education and other opportunities for girls. In addition, they often lead to early pregnancy and childbirth, which are very risky in terms of health. The list of the types of violence against women also includes cases where women are harmed because of traditional practices such as dowry murders, acid throwing, and murders for the sake of "family honor". Finally, an important role is played by trafficking in women and girls for forced labor and sexual exploitation. Thus, violence against women has various forms. In turn, it can be explained by a variety of factors that determine the negative and aggressive behavior towards women. Factors of Violence against Women Considering the factors that determine violence against women, one needs to point out that at the social level, violence against women is most common in countries, which are characterized by a great strictness and imposition of gender roles and where masculinity is closely associated with the rigidity of male honor and dominance over other human beings. In such countries, the physical punishment of women and/or children are approved by social community. Thus, violence is a standard way to resolve conflicts. In other words, “risk of violence is greatest in societies where the use of violence in many situations is a socially-accepted norm” (Jewkes, 2002). There is an idea that poverty causes violence by an intimate partner (Heise et al., 1999). However, recent studies provide an opportunity to understand that poverty is not the cause of violence. In fact, any other kind of inequality in which men feel discriminated make them be aggressive towards women. If a man controls the money and other material values ​​in the family, as well as takes all the important decisions, it is associated with violence, as well as the instability of the relationship (Heise et al., 1999). Previously it was thought that women with more children are at increased risk of violence. Nevertheless, recent studies have shown that large families do not contribute to violence. Rather, one can state that the violence in the relationship leads to large families, because it restricts the right of a woman to refuse sex and use contraception (Ellsberg, Pena, Herrera, Liljestrand, & Winkvist, 2000). In addition, “researchers report high rates of intimate partner violence among women who use substances” (Poole, Greaves, Jategaonkar, McCullough, & Chabot, 2006). The Impact of Violence on Womens Health As mentioned earlier, women who are being abused have much more problems with mental and physical health than women who are not exposed to violence, namely more injuries and a greater need for health care resources (Campbell, 2002). WHO multinational study on womens health and domestic violence found that women who were abused in Brazil, Japan, and Peru reported that their current health status was poor or very poor, compared with women who had not experienced violence (Campbell, 2002). Consequences of gender-based violence for physical health can be immediate and lasting. However, women who have been abused rarely seek medical attention due to severe injuries. In the USA, less than half of the women who were injured in the violence seek help (Campbell, 2002). Even if women seek necessary treatment, medical professionals cannot ignore the possible connection between their health problems and violence. Survivors of violence often have negative health behaviors, including alcohol and drug abuse. Chronic health problems that are often associated with violence include: chronic pain (headaches, back pain); neurological problems and symptoms, including fainting and seizures; disorders of the digestive system; and cardiovascular problems (Campbell, 2002). The negative impact of violence on womens health is also reflected in the fact that such women live in constant fear and suffer from depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. The study conducted in North America showed that women subjected to violence are three times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder than women not exposed to violence (Campbell, 2002). WHO multinational study found that women from Brazil, Japan and Peru, who were physically and sexually abused by their partners, were two times more likely to think about suicide than women who were not exposed to violence (García-Moreno et al., 2002). According to a study in Nicaragua, among children whose mothers were exposed to violence, the level of infant and child mortality may be higher (Asling–Monemi, Pena, Ellsberg, & Persson, 2003). Even if children do not become the targets of violence, they are more likely to suffer from emotional and behavioral problems and learning difficulties because often they observe domestic violence (Ellsberg et al, 2000). Subsequently, these children form the risk group of either experiencing violence themselves, or exposing others to violence (Heise et al., 1999). The Impact of Violence on Women’s Reproductive Health As it turns out violence negatively affects not only the nervous, digestive, and circulatory systems. The problem is that gender-based violence also affects the reproductive and sexual health of women. A study in the United States found that women who are abused by an intimate partner are three times more likely to suffer from gynecological problems than women who are not exposed to violence (Campbell, 2002). These problems include chronic pain in the pelvic organs, vaginal bleeding or discharge, vaginal infections, painful menstruation, sexual dysfunction, fibroids, inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, pain during intercourse, urinary tract infections, and infertility. Sexual violence, particularly sexual coercion, may lead to serious physical and mental injuries. Except female genital mutilation, violence can also result in transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. Women who reveal their HIV-positive status may also be subjected to violence in response (Campbell, 2002). Early pregnancy and childbirth, often as a result of forced early marriage, can lead to a variety of health problems, including the consequences of unsafe abortion. Continuing to provide an extremely negative impact on womens health, violence restricts sexual and reproductive autonomy of women. Women who were sexually abused are more likely to be forced to use contraception secretly, because their partners often do not allow them to use contraception or refuse to use condoms in order to prevent infection (García-Moreno et al, 2002). Women who experienced male violence are much more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, deal with an unwanted pregnancy and suffer from sexual dysfunction (Heise et al., 1999). Studies show that in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Great Britain, South Africa, and Nicaragua from 4% to 15% of all pregnant women suffer from physical violence (Campbell, 2002) Violence by an intimate partner during pregnancy may play a significant role in complications during pregnancy than other factors that go into a standard examination for pregnancy, such as high blood pressure and diabetes (Gazmararian et al., 1996). Scientists have established a link between violence during pregnancy and late referral to prenatal health care, high rates of smoking and drug/alcohol use during pregnancy, poor maternal weight during pregnancy, and depression (Heise et al., 1999). Violence against pregnant women is associated with unsafe abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, and neonatal mortality. Although it is rather difficult to determine the causal link between violence and related negative phenomena, a recent meta-analysis of studies indicates a link between low birth weight and violence during pregnancy (Murphy, Schei, Myhr, & Mont, 2001). A study in Nicaragua found that low birth weight is four times more common among infants born by women who had been physically abused during pregnancy (Valladares, Ellsberg, Pena, Högberg, & Persson, 2002). Violence can directly lead to low birth weight, for example, if the blows to the stomach trigger premature birth. Low weight can also be caused by the factors, which are often associated with violence and result in low birth weight - smoking, alcohol, and other psychoactive substances. Dealing with Violence in Reproductive Health Programs Consequences of violence on women’s health are rather serious, long-term, and interconnected. Health workers have the opportunity and responsibility to identify cases of violence. “For a young, healthy woman, the primary care physician is frequently an obstetrician/gynecologist” (Rittmayer & Roux, 1999). For many women, the visit to the clinic about their reproductive health or the health of their child may be their only contact with the health system. The health sector can take advantage of this opportunity and provide the patients with supportive and safe environment. In this aspect, health care providers play a significant role by having an ability to ask about violence and propose the ways to solve the problem. Training of health workers on how to ask women about violence during a medical examination is a very effective method of identifying cases of abuse (García-Moreno, 2002) However, very few health workers ask about violence, even in rich countries (D’Avolio et al., 2001). In some programs, interviewing all women about violence is impractical or even unethical, if done incorrectly and without proper confidentiality. The problem is that there is no consensus regarding the authority of medical staff in this regard. As noted by García-Moreno (2002), “some practitioners strongly advise health providers to ask all women who come into contact with them about domestic violence, 4–7 but others argue that in certain settings this approach might not be feasible and recommend selective approaches.” Screening programs should overcome barriers both at the level of individual health care professionals, and at the level of the entire health system (Heise et al., 1999). Health professionals see the main barriers for such screening in lack of training, time, and effective response (Waalen, Goodwin, Spitz, Petersen, Saltzman, 2000). In addition, health care providers often do not want to ask questions about violence, because they are afraid of experiencing discomfort with the topic, facing cultural and linguistic differences with the patients, offending the patient. In addition, many of them are annoyed by the apparent reluctance of women to follow their advices (García-Moreno, 2002). Most of these barriers are reduced to the opinions and prejudices of health workers. Because health workers usually belong to the same social and cultural environment, as their patient, they may also face violence. For example, a qualitative study of 38 nurses from the emergency department in rural South Africa found that nurses were subjected to the same or even higher level of violence, as well as their patients (Waalen et al, 2000). Other studies have shown that in many countries, health professionals also experience violence from their intimate partners (García-Moreno, 2002). Moreover, researcher are particularly concerned about the fact that nurses and other health workers may also show violence to their patients (dOliveira, Diniz, & Schraiber, 2002). Conclusion In general, one can observe the different forms of violence against women that is often determined by cultural and social reasons. Appeal to a variety of research allows one seeing that violence has a very negative impact on various organs and systems, such as the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and reproductive systems. Women around the world are exposed to various forms of violence (sexual, domestic, etc.) that can lead not only to serious health problems, but even to death. The problem is that even in countries where women have equal rights and opportunities compared to men, experts identify the different types of violence, the source of which can be seen in the behavior of women’s intimate partners. The solution to the problem is complex because of the fact that many women are either shy or do not want to report such cases or accept violence as a normal social phenomenon that does not require the intervention of specialists. Thus, the attitude of women to this problem greatly complicates the ability to help them in this situation. Medical staff also faces certain problems, which in particular are caused by psychological barriers during interviewing the patients. It seems reasonable to improve methods of detection and prevention of violence against women using the most modern methods of diagnosis. References Asling–Monemi, K., Pena, R., Ellsberg, M. C., & Persson, L. Å. (2003). Violence against women increases the risk of infant and child mortality: a case–referent study in Nicaragua. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 81 (1): 10-17. Campbell, J. (2002). Health consequences of intimate partner violence. The Lancet, 359:1331-1336. D’Avolio, D., Hawkins, J. W., Haggerty, L. 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