Violencia de pareja y depresión en mujeres que trabajan en una institución de salud de México

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To assess the effect of intimate partner violence on the risk of depression and depressive symptoms among adult women.

Method: We analyzed data from the Mexican Health Workers Cohort study (n470). Type and severity of intimate partner violence was ascertained between 2004 and 2011. Self-reported medical diagnosis of depression (2011) was the main outcome; depressive symptoms ascertained with the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale was the secondary outcome. Random-effects regressions were run to model the risk of depression (logistic) and depressive symptoms (linear) in relation to intimate partner violence.

Results: 41.9 women experienced intimate partner violence at baseline. The incidence of depression was 7.2. The risk of depression increased with any type of IPV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]2.9; 95 confidence interval [95CI]: 1.4-6.2) and with physical (aOR4.3; 95CI: 1.8-10.1), psychological (aOR3.1; 95CI: 1.4-6.6) and sexual (aOR3.1; 95CI: 1.2-8.2) violence. Depressive symptoms (CES-D) increased slightly with physical and sexual intimate partner violence.

Conclusions: Intimate partner violence was associated with a higher risk of depression in this sample of women working in a Mexican health facility. Our results indicate the need to develop infrastructure, to implement strategies of attention and counselling, and to provide a safe environment in the workplace for women who experience intimate partner violence.