ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health problem that is increasingly cited as a risk factor for adverse physical and behavioural health outcomes among women. Characterised by behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological or sexual harm to a partner,1 IPV has reached globally epidemic proportions. The lifetime prevalence of experiencing IPV is estimated to be between 15 % and 71 % among women worldwide.2 Apart from an increased risk of injury and death, women who experience IPV have an increased probability of developing short-and long-term morbidity and adopting negative health behaviours. For example, in the USA abused women are more likely than non-abused women to report adverse physical health outcomes such as joint disease, asthma, heart disease, back problems, arthritis, sexually transmitted infections, vaginal infections, digestive problems and poor overall health.3-5 Women with a history of IPV victimisatio