INTRODUCTION: Violence against women in Canada is an important public health problem. Published research that reports prevalence of violence against women by province or region is limited, and estimates of the rates of violence experienced by rural women are sparse. METHODS: This study reports the results of a secondary analysis of data to examine the prevalence of physical and sexual assault reported by women in a rural health region in Alberta, Canada. The report of assault was then examined to determine its relationship to self-reported health conditions, behaviours and health service use. RESULTS: In this study, 5% of women reported experiencing physical assault in the last 12 months and 23% reported experiencing sexual assault in their lifetime. Younger women reported more assault than older women. Women who reported sexual assault were more likely to report having used illicit drugs. Women who reported physical assault within the last 12 months were significantly more likely to also report having accessed mental health services and emergency services within the past year. Most women had seen a general practitioner or family doctor within the last 12 months. CONCLUSION: We argue that an integrated community-based model of service that includes the health sector is necessary to address violence against women in rural areas.
INTRODUCTION: Violence against women in Canada is an important public health problem. Published research that reports prevalence of violence against women by province or region is limited, and estimates of the rates of violence experienced by rural women are sparse. METHODS: This study reports the results of a secondary analysis of data to examine the prevalence of physical and sexual assault reported by women in a rural health region in Alberta, Canada. The report of assault was then examined to determine its relationship to self-reported health conditions, behaviours and health service use. RESULTS: In this study, 5% of women reported experiencing physical assault in the last 12 months and 23% reported experiencing sexual assault in their lifetime. Younger women reported more assault than older women. Women who reported sexual assault were more likely to report having used illicit drugs. Women who reported physical assault within the last 12 months were significantly more likely to also report having accessed mental health services and emergency services within the past year. Most women had seen a general practitioner or family doctor within the last 12 months. CONCLUSION: We argue that an integrated community-based model of service that includes the health sector is necessary to address violence against women in rural areas.