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Researching Domestic Violence Against Women: Methodological and Ethical Considerations
Author(s) -
Ellsberg Mary,
Heise Lori,
Peña Rodolfo,
Agurto Sonia,
Winkvist Anna
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
studies in family planning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1728-4465
pISSN - 0039-3665
DOI - 10.1111/j.1728-4465.2001.00001.x
Subject(s) - domestic violence , logistic regression , population , psychology , demography , environmental health , medicine , poison control , human factors and ergonomics , sociology
The results of three population‐based studies on violence against women in Nicaragua are compared in this article. Two of the studies were regional in scope (Leon and Managua) and focused specifically on women's experiences of violence, whereas the third study was a Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted with a nationally representative sample of women. The lifetime prevalence estimates for women's undergoing physical violence from a partner were significantly higher in the Leon study (52 percent) and Managua study (69 percent), compared with that given in the DHS (28 percent). Possible explanations for the differences are examined through pooled multivariate logistic regression analysis, as well as analysis ofsix focus‐group discussions cairied out with field‐workers and staff from the three studies. The most important differences that were found concerned ethical and safety procedures and the interview setting. The results indicate that prevalence estimates for violence are highly sensitive to methodological factors, and that underreporting is a significant threat to validity.