Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.Wijeratne, L.T.Weerasinghe, G.D.S.S.K.Peiris, M.U.P.K.Williams, S.S.2014-10-292014-10-292010Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry. 2010; 1(2): pp.60-632012-6883http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2025BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is considered a public health problem with physical and psychological consequences. AIMS: To describe the prevalence of IPV among married females attending the out-patient department of North Colombo Teaching Hospital and their attitude towards abuse. METHODS: A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire on physical, verbal, sexual and emotional abuse was given to the first 50 consenting married females attending the out-patient department on each day for five consecutive days. Confidentiality of responses was assured and adequate privacy was provided for the questionnaires to be completed. RESULTS: Of the 242 participants 98(40.5%) reported some form of abuse by their male partner. Prevalence of abuse reported was physical abuse 19%, verbal abuse 23%, emotional abuse 23% and sexual abuse 7%. A quarter (26.9%) of those inflicted physical violence sought medical treatment for the injuries but only two of them divulged the reason for the injury to medical staff. More than three quarters (79%) of those abused were in the relationship for more than ten years. The majority of the females surveyed believed that violence by the male partner should be tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: IPV is a common problem that is poorly divulged to medical personnel. Attitudes regarding IPV have to be changed in order to reduce abuse significantly.ArticlePsychiatry