Relationship Between Spouse Abuse and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Predictors of Domestic Violence in Women Visiting Comprehensive Urban Health Service Centers in Birjand

Background: Spouse abuse is a major human problem in various communities, which not only has legal aspects but also considerably affects family as the primary social institution. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between spouse abuse and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and identify the predictors of domestic violence in women visiting comprehensive urban health services centers in Birjand, Iran. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 475 women visiting comprehensive urban health services centers in Birjand were selected via the cluster sampling method. Data was collected using a demographics form, Samuee’s Standard Spouse Abuse Scale, and Rabie’s Behavioral Measurement Scale for obsessive-compulsive disorder. The collected data was entered into SPSS 16 and analyzed using MannWhitney, Kruskal Wallis, and Spearman non-parametric tests. The level of significance was set at α = 5%. Results: The mean scores of OCD and domestic violence in the studied women were 9.7 ± 5.1 and 77.1 ± 27.9, respectively. Of all the participants, 86.5% had experienced mild violence, 9.3% moderate violence, and 4.2% severe spousal violence. Moreover, 42.9% of women were suffering from OCD. The mean score of violence was significantly higher in addicted women, women with OCD, and women with unemployed, loweducated, or addicted spouses (P < 0.05). Furthermore, women who had a history of family conflict or parental conflict were significantly influenced by violent, high-risk, and arrogant behaviors of the spouse. The mean score of violence was significantly correlated with some components of OCD, age of women and their spouses, and duration of marriage (P < 0.05). Obsessive-compulsive disorder was determined as a good predictor of violence against women (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It seems that numerous psychological problems of women, such as anxiety and OCD, can be attributed to family violence. On the other hand, anxiety and OCD can increase the level of incompatibility in women and make them more vulnerable to violence. Therefore, the identification of cases of violence and spouse abuse and the timely detection and treatment of OCD in women can ensure the physical, emotional, and psychological security of women in a family, and thereby contribute to the stability of the family and community and reduce social harms.

The Factors Influencing Urban Health Services among Ethnic Groups in the U.S.

The purpose of this study is to conduct a non-systematic meth-analysis of a literature review by way of reviewing research that was found in any databases under the terms “urban health services” in order to document the major factors influencing urban health among minorities; and if there are any policies that promote health and prevent disease. Data from current the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the World Health Organization also provided significant findings. This study also explores the underlying conditions and root causes contributing to health inequities and the interdependent nature of the factors that create them, by drawing from existing literature and syntheses on health disparities and health inequities. Even though public services, such as health and health service provisions in urban areas may be much better than those in rural areas, it has not been proven if it is the case for less disadvantaged populations living in the urban cities. This study highlights many of the issues leading to health inequities, such as social economic status, ethnicity, and age differences. There is a need to reduce health inequities among high-middle and low-income groups by providing or equalizing health opportunities across the socioeconomic groups.