This WHO multi-country study interviewed women aged 15–49 years between 2000 and 2003 about their experiences of physically and sexually violent acts by a current or former intimate male partner, and about selected symptoms associated with physical and mental health. The women reporting physical violence by a partner were asked about injuries that resulted from this type of violence. 24,097 women completed interviews. Women who had experienced partner violence had worse selfreported health than women without such experiences, and specific health problems in the previous 4 weeks such as difficulty with walking and daily activities, pain, memory loss, dizziness, and vaginal discharge. Women who reported partner violence at least once in their life reported increased emotional distress and suicidal thoughts or attempts, compared with non-abused women.
