Chuemchit, Chernkwanma, Rugkua, Daengthern, Abdullakasim, and Wieringa conducted research on the prevalence of intimate partner violence in Thailand. The research was published by the journal of family violence volume 33 number five in 2018. The research poses to be the most recent on the subject in Thailand whose aim was to examine intimate violence in four specific regions in Thailand.
Women were the main subjects of intimate partner violence where authors diversify the research into physical, psychological and sexual violence as the most common of intimate partner violence. Its prevalence in Thailand has influenced the need for this research. Apart from being a social issue, the World Health Organization also categorizes it as a public health issue that needs to be addressed. Another driving factor to this research is the low number of reported cases since the majority of Thailand women solve these issues by their own and fail to report to relevant authorities. Majority of the women report after these cases become severe and out of their control. Additionally, the number of Intimate partner violence has increased over the years.
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Authors, therefore, examine the prevalence of intimate partner violence using questionnaires to investigate the relationship between domestic violence and women’s health. A past intervention on intimate partner violence in 2007 involved amending the domestic violence act in Thailand. This aimed to improve the past act that failed to recognize marital rape as a crime, which never protected partners from sexual abuse by companion partners. Since the amendment of the act, some literature indicated an increase in the number of reported cases arguing that this uncovered more violence cases. The ministry of public health also formed a separate body to deal with violence cases and indicated a very small number of people who utilize their services especially with IPV cases.
In 2005, the World Health Organization conducted research on domestic violence in ten countries and among them, Thailand ranked highest in the number of cases of intimate partner violence. Violence reported revolved around sexual and physical. Women from urban Thailand reported a high number of sexual violence while rural women reported a higher number of physical violence. Another study carried out on pregnant women in Thailand indicated 19% of sexual harassment, 26% of physical violence and 54% of psychological violence, all caused by their spouses. This study, therefore, aimed to examine the various forms of violence as well as identify factors that influence intimate partner violence.
The study carried out in four parts of Thailand; southern, northern, central and northeastern Thailand where simple random sampling was conducted to get the participants. 2462 persons participated in the study where all were women aged between twenty years to fifty-nine years. Researchers started by visiting community leaders who shared the names of married people or those cohabiting, then they proceeded to their residents with their questionnaires. Some were eligible and willing to participate while others were not. The sample therefore comprised of all that willingly participated in the study. Researchers used questionnaires and conducting interviews to obtain data from participants.
A principal investigator and research assistants were deployed to conduct the research in all the four provinces. The research assistants were qualified women where the criteria of qualification were a bachelor's degree and working experience in public health and community-based research. This ensured quality data. Trained interviewers from the World Health Organization Domestic Violence study conducted interviews. Confidentiality of the participants’ information was critical and participants, therefore, had private interviews with female interviewers. Interviewers took other measures that shielded the participants from the shame of disclosing their relationship. Additionally, they also provided useful information concerning available services where they could seek help such as hotline call centers.
The measurement tool used in this study was a questionnaire where all of the three categories of violence measured as separate items. The questionnaires required participants to fill in any form of abuse with their current spouses. The questions asked ensured a balanced treatment of the partners and conflict negotiations. Questions focusing on psychological violence asked factors such as threatening behavior, humiliations, fear, and insult. Physical violence was diverse and categorized in various levels as either mild or moderate depending on the evidence and level of injury.
Before the analysis, data first entered and cleaned. SPSS was then used as the analysis method where it summarized the various variables and then forming patterns. SPSS also tested existing relationships between variables. Another analysis tool used was Pearson’s Chi-square to define the association between experiences of violence and male partners' controlling behaviors. The participants were also ranked based on their education level either as graduates, high school level or below and their occupation, homemakers or those in various jobs.
The results of the analysis indicated that fifteen percent of the participants had experienced any of the three categories of violence. The highest reported of the three was psychological violence and the least being sexual violence. A very small figure reported on severe physical violence. Mild to moderate violence that reported a significant number included slapping, threats by weapon, dragged and kicked. The various types of violence determined the prevalence of IPV.
Comparing the results of this study and that conducted in 2009, this study indicated higher cases of IPV. The difference was brought about by the means of data collection where past studies focused on violence in general hence acquiring very little data as compared to this study that narrowed the scope into a number of categories. The findings seemed contradictory bearing the measures taken such as amendment of violence act among others yet resulting in an increase of the cases.
One limitation of this study is the consideration of women as the victims and failing to recognize them as the source of violence in the relationship. Self-report also lead to a bias of recalling experiences as well as the participant's willingness to share violent experiences in their relationship with others influenced by their culture, interviewers in this case. However, various techniques such as using standardized questionnaires and training the interviewers increased the level of disclosure among participants. Thailand culture was a great limitation of disclosure since they take violence issues as personal issues.
The need for this study is the negative consequences of health resulting from intimate partner violence. This issue also calls for action since it is a violation of human rights. Sharing data obtained from this research with the involved parties such as policymakers, educators, health practitioners, and communities will lower the occurrence of these incidences. Social norms serve as a great challenge in overcoming prevalence since the majority embrace such issues despite the awareness of the negative effects caused.
Analyzing the various parts of this study, the research was conducted thoroughly with a lower level of biases. To start with, the authors analyzed past similar studies to find out their weaknesses then designed research that could improve on the past results. Standardized questionnaires used in the methodology and the sample participants improved the accuracy of the general population. The study also used SPSS a powerful tool for analyzing data to form patterns and relationships between variables. Culture was highlighted as the main influence of gender inequality and intimate partner violence. Taking measures that advocate for gender equity and nonviolent relationship could greatly curb the prevalence.
