Table 2 Comparison between cohabitating and married relationships: characteristics of physical violence, including method, relationship problems, and impact on women

Head-neck-face injury

573 (68.8%)

114 (83.2%)

2.10*

1.30–3.40

Multiple injuries in different locations (i.e., head-neck-face, body truck or limbs)

355 (42.6%)

81 (59.1%)

1.82*

1.25–2.65

Multiple frequency of physical violence (i.e., 3 times or above)

429 (63.5%)

64 (56.1%)

1.00

0.99–1.00

 Use of weapon

142 (17%)

21 (15.3%)

0.97

0.57–1.66

 Throw things that could hurt

88 (10.6%)

12 (8.8%)

1.26

0.70–2.27

 Slapping

185 (22.2%)

36 (26.3%)

2.22*

1.39–3.55

 Punching with fist

503 (60.4%)

84 (61.3%)

1.09

0.70–1.70

 Kicking

111 (13.3%)

23 (16.8%)

1.52

0.88–2.64

 Choking

57 (6.8%)

16 (11.7%)

1.86

0.89–3.89

 Arm twisting or hair pulling

101 (12.1%)

26 (19.0%)

1.87*

1.08–3.25

 Pushing

201 (24.1%)

46 (33.6%)

1.70*

1.06–2.73

 Slamming against the wall

77 (9.2%)

22 (16.1%)

2.39*

1.34–4.25

 Using more than 1 method of above

355 (42.6%)

81 (59.1%)

1.63*

1.03–2.59

 Other relationship affairs involved

99 (11.9%)

19 (13.9%)

1.20

0.66–2.18

 Financial problem

24 (7.3%)

4 (6.6%)

1.61

0.60–4.30

 Abuser drinking problem

50 (12.9%)

17 (27.9%)

2.28*

1.15–4.50

 Abuser use of drug problem

35 (8.2%)

6 (8.8%)

1.17

0.47–2.87

 Abuser having diagnosed mental illness

46 (11.5%)

13 (20.6%)

2.00*

1.01–3.96

 Women having drinking problem

6 (1.6%)

0 (0%)

1.20

0.34–4.18

 Women use of drug

7 (1.6%)

1 (1.4%)

1.99

0.39–10.22

 Women having diagnosed mental illness

65 (14.4%)

9 (12.3%)

0.57

0.26–1.26

Report to police

507 (60.9%)

89 (65%)

0.89

0.56–1.42

Discharged to shelter^b

102 (13.0%)

19 (15.1%)

1.60

0.79–3.24

Discharged to own home^b

423 (52.5%)

60 (45.1%)

0.73

0.48–1.11

Discharged to relative or friend’s home^b

127 (16%)

28 (21.9%)

1.63

0.95–2.81

Discharged against medical advice^b

49 (6.3%)

12 (9.6%)

1.13

0.49–2.62