Factors associated with Spousal Physical violence in Albania: Cross sectional study

Objective: To describe the prevalence of intimate partner violence and associated factors among married women in Albania

Design: Cross sectional study

Setting: Tirana, the capital city of Albania

Participants: A representative sample f 1039 married women aged 25–65 living in Tirana and recorded in the 2001 census.

Methods: Questionnaire on intimate partner violence and social and demographic characteristics of the women and their husbands.

Main outcome measure: Women's experience with in the past year of being hit, slapped, kicked, or otherwise physically hurt by the husband.

Results: More than a third (37%, 384/1039) of women had experienced violence. Risk was greatest among omen aged 25–34 (odd ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.09), women with tertiary education (3.70, 2,04 to 6.67), women in white collar jobs (4.0, 1.59 to 10.0), women with least educated husbands (5.01, 2.91 to 8.64), and women married to men in rural areas (3.31, 2.29 to 4.80). Women were at higher risk if they were more educated than their husband (4.76, 2.56 to 9.09).

Conclusions: In transitional Albania, the risk of spousal violence is high, and more empowered women are at greater risk.