The first-ever World Health Organization (WHO) study on domestic violence revealed on Thursday that intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence in women's lives -- much more so than assault or rape by strangers or acquaintances.

The study, titled "The Women's Health and Domestic Violence Against Women" and released on Thursday, reported on the enormous toll physical and sexual violence by husbands and partners has on the health and well-being of women around the world. The study also indicated that domestic violence is still largely hidden in many places.

"This study shows that women are more at risk from violence at home than in the street and this has serious repercussions for women's health," WHO Director-General Lee Jong-wook said upon releasing the study.

"The study also shows how important it is to shine a spotlight on domestic violence globally and treat it as a major public health issue," he added.

The study is based on interviews with more than 24,000 women from rural and urban areas in 10 countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, Japan, Namibia, Peru, Samoa, Serbia and Montenegro, Thailand, and Tanzania.

The study found out that among all the women who had been physically assaulted by their partners, one quarter to one half had suffered physical injuries as a direct result.

According to the study, the abused women are also twice as likely as non-abused women to have poor health and physical and mental problems, even if the violence occurred years before. This includes suicidal thoughts and attempts, mental distress, and physical symptoms like pain and dizziness.

In the report, the WHO gave called for action by policy makers and the public health sector to address the issue, including measures such as integrating the violence prevention programming into a range of social programs.

The report recommended a range of vital interventions to change attitudes and challenge the inequities and social norms that perpetuate abuse.

It further recommended integrating violence prevention programming into the ongoing initiatives which aimed at improving the well-being of children and youth, the sexual and reproductive health of women, and eliminating HIV/AIDS.

Source: Xinhua