Comparison of Anxiety and Depression in victims of spousal abused and Non-Abused women in Primary Health Care (PHC) in Babol-Iran Journal Article

Purpose: The present study is conducted to compare anxiety and depression in victims of spousal abused and non abused women in Primary Health Care (PHC) in Babol. Main research question is that is there any significant difference between women victims of violence and normal women in terms of amount of anxiety and depression? Methods and Materials: from all healthcare centers of Babol City in Iran, 3 centers were selected randomly and all women referred to these centers from September of 2014 to March of same year filled the spousal abuse questionnaire. 120 women were identified as victims of husband's violence. Following that, 120 women who were similar to first group in terms of age, job and education level were selected as control group. Then, both groups filled the Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck's Depression Inventory. Data were analyzed using independent t-test. Results: Results showed that mean anxiety and depression scoresof women victims of violence has been higher than non abused women and this result is significant statistically (p<0.01). Conclusion: according to high level of anxiety and depression in women victims of spousal abuse compared to non- abused, it is necessary to use methods to prevent any kind of domestic violence, especially spousal abuse against wife in Iran. Such goal could be achieved through strengthening the laws to prevent spousal abuse in Iran and use technology e.g.smartphpne apps to allow women to understand the negative impacts of apousal abuse and report spousal abuse during crisis.This can typically be effective in regard with preventing of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Main research question is that is there any significant difference between women victims of violence and normal women in terms of amount of anxiety and depression?Methods and Materials: from all healthcare centers of Babol City in Iran, 3 centers were selected randomly and all women referred to these centers from September of 2014 to March of same year filled the spousal abuse questionnaire. Conclusion: according to high level of anxiety and depression in women victims of spousal abuse compared to non- abused, it is necessary to use methods to prevent any kind of domestic violence, especially spousal abuse against wife in Iran. , 2014) Review of previous studies indicates that women victim of violence suffer from psychological disorders and depression &amp; suicide (Ghahhari et al. Abused women mostly suffer from Treatment-resistant depression with anxiety (May &amp; Katz, 2003) and depression, anxiety, physical symptoms and low self-esteem is common among them (Hosseini Padenjani, 2012) and sexual dysfunctioning (Ghahari et al 2017). Also, Study of Gilroy (2015) showed that among women victim of violence referred to Health Centers, the most common disorder has been anxiety and depression. In general, 240 women referred to 3 health centers of Babol participated in this study to fulfill Spouse Abuse questionnaire and Beck's Anxiety and Depression Inventory. Discussion The results showerd that there is significant difference between anxiety and depression of women victims of spouse violence and non abused women under coverage of Primary Health Center (PHC).