The Association of Gender Based Violence (GBV) with Familial and Social Determinants and Mental Health Status of Bengali Married Working Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Gender Based Violence (GBV) represents a severe violation of women's human rights beyond geographical, cultural, religious, social, and economic aspects. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of GBV, its association with mental health status, and familial and social determinants among the higher socio-economic married working women in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November 2019 among the higher socio-economic married women working in Dhaka. To reach the targeted participants, five hundred sixty participants were recruited using multistage sampling. Women with a minimum graduate degree, monthly income >35000, and working outside were included in this study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data through a face-to-face interview. Mental health status was measured by 20 items on the CES-D scale. Descriptive statistics and bivariate (unadjusted) and multivariate (adjusted) logistic regression were used to explore the determinants and mental health status. The mean age of participants was 35.7 ± 4.8 years. Around 13.6% of women faced GBV. The age, marriage duration, family type, monthly income, parental status, number of children, and education level showed a significant association with GBV. The binary logistic regression model found that the status of mental health was strongly significant in both unadjusted and adjusted models, OR (95% CI) =2.589 (1.577-4.252) and 4.542 (2.362-8.734). Participation in the family's decision-making process was strongly associated with GBV OR (95% CI) = 4.529 (2.332- 8.796). The attitude of the husband or in-laws was strongly significant in both unadjusted OR (95% CI) = 10.605 (4.988 - 22.548) and adjusted models 5.972 (1.836-19.421). Having a good understanding of the husband was strongly significant in two models, OR (95% CI) = 27.383 (13.568 -55.263) and 17.553 (6.160 -50.018). The odds of GBV, if any family members are suffering from chronic disease, were around six-fold higher among married working women in the unadjusted model OR (95% CI) =5.935 (2.791 - 12.623) and almost eight-fold higher in adjusted model 7.679 (2.293 -25.719). Time for attending social obligation was strongly significant in both unadjusted OR (95% CI)= 11.633 (5.239 -25.832) and adjusted model 24.402 (7.511 -79.277). The GBV prevalence was comparatively low, and it was found to be related to working women with higher socio-economic status. This issue should not be neglected as it impedes the empowerment of women, which is a global concern and developmental plan. Hence, there is a need to formulate better policies and programs to attain a gender-based, violence-free society.