Abstract
Background
Violence against women is an increasing global phenomenon. Little is known about violence
against foreign-born women, despite a possible increased concentration of risk factors
in this group.
Methods
This study investigated prevalence of perceived threat of violence and exposure to
physical violence and its relation to country of birth among women (18–64 years) residing
in southern Sweden, using data obtained from the 2004 Public Health Survey in Scania,
Sweden.
Findings
Foreign-born women reported significantly higher rates of both perceived threat of
violence and exposure to physical violence compared with Swedish-born women. Foreign-born
women exposed to violence originated primarily from middle/low-income countries (versus
high-income countries). The risk of perceived threat of violence remained significantly
increased among foreign-born even after further adjustment for potential confounders,
such as marital status and disposable income. After similar adjustment, increased
exposure to physical violence was no longer significantly related to foreign-born
status, but instead was largely attributable to marital status and low levels of disposable
income. Foreign-born women, however, had a greater risk of physical violence in the
home than Swedish-born women, and violence in the home was the most frequently reported
setting for violence exposure among foreign-born women.
Conclusion
Migration may confer an increased risk of interpersonal violence against women. Although
the underlying causes of this increased risk are unknown, a complex set of factors
may be involved, including socioeconomic disadvantage.
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Biography
Cecilia Fernbrant, MS, is a doctoral student in the Division of Social Medicine and Global Health in the Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö at Lund University, Sweden.
Biography
Birgitta Essén, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Women's and Children's Health, International and Maternal Health at Uppsala University, Sweden.
Biography
Per-Olof Östergren, PhD, is Professor and Head of the Division of Social Medicine and Global Health in the Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö at Lund University, Sweden.
Biography
Elizabeth Cantor-Graae, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Division of Social Medicine and Global Health in the Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö at Lund University, Sweden.
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 3,
2010
Received in revised form:
December 3,
2010
Received:
April 13,
2010
Footnotes
Funding source: The County Administrative Board in Skåne.
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
