Wife abuse among women of childbearing age in Nicaragua

Objectives. This study measured the prevalence, frequency, and severity of physical wife abuse and its risk factors in leon, Nicaragua. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a representative sampl e of 488 women 15 to 49 years of age. Results. The lifetime prevalence of spousal violence was 52% among ever-mar ried women (n = 360). Spousal violence was significantly positively associa ted with poverty, parity, urban residence, and history of violence in the h usband's family. No significant associations were found between spousal vio lence and women's age, education, marital dependency, or occupation. Conclusions. Wife abuse constitutes a major public heat problem in Nicaragu a, requiring urgent measures for prevention and treatment for victims.