Domestic violence as a major cause of trauma in Western Province, Papua New Guinea.

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence is endemic in PNG accounting for 90% of female trauma. It is a significant cause of morbity in the country and a drain on already scarce healthcare resources. Few studies have assessed the scale of the problem in rural areas. AIM: To assess the scale of the problem in the Western Province and the views of the victims to try and identify the underlying causes.
METHODS: Trauma presentations to the outpatient department and trauma admissions to Kiunga hospital were audited over a four week period in September 2009. Patients admitted with domestic violence-related injuries were then asked a short questionnaire.
RESULTS: 16 patients (15 females, 1 male) presented to Kiunga hospital with domestic violence-related injuries. 13 of these patients were admitted. In this time only one other female was admitted for acute trauma thus over 90% of female trauma admissions were due to domestic violence. The victims were not as accepting of the problem as other studies have suggested. Victims all reported that the police failed to act when they reported an incident.
CONCLUSIONS: Domestic violence is a major public health problem in PNG. Increasing the presence of women in law enforcement agencies and law reform to offer more support to victims is needed to improve the problem.