Domestic violence and emotional distress among Nicaraguan women - Results from a population-based study

This study aimed To measure the prevalence of emotional distress among wome n in Leon, Nicaragua, and to identify risk factors for emotional distress, with special reference to wife abuse. A survey was performed among a repres entation sample of women aged 15-49. Among ever-married women, 20% were cla ssified as experiencing emotional distress at the time of the interview, an d 52% reported physical partner abuse at some point in their lives. Women r eporting abuse ar ere 6 times more likely to experience emotional distress. An estimated 70% of all cases of emotional distress found among ever-marri ed women were attributable to wife abuse. The study underscores the need to improve screening and care for battered women within mental health service s in Nicaragua.