Intimate partner violence and health among Mexican women with and without disabilities: a population-based study, 2021.

BACKGROUND

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue affecting millions of women, with more severe consequences among those with disabilities.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of IPV and disability, disaggregated by type and cause of violence, and to analyze the physical and mental health problems associated with IPV among Mexican women with and without disabilities.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was based on the 2021 National Sur-vey on the Dynamics of Household Relationships. Data from 47,312,856 women aged 15 years and older with at least one lifetime intimate relationship were analyzed. Prevalence estimates and adjusted risk ratios were calculated.

RESULTS

Women with disabilities showed a higher lifetime prevalence of IPV (44.8% vs. 37.8%) and past-year prevalence (22.6% vs. 20.5%) compared to women without disabilities. Sexual violence was associated with the highest risk (relative risk: 2.09). This group also reported more frequent physical (e.g., fractures, sexually transmitted infections) and psychological consequences (e.g., depression 63.8%, suicidal ideation 23.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Disability increased the vulnerability of women experiencing IPV and worsened its health consequences. There is an urgent need for integrated interventions that address health, disability, and gender-based violence.