Change in spousal violence before and during Covid-19 pandemic in Egypt

Background
Egypt has been severely affected by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) since March 2020. To slow the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), measures such as social isolation, travel restrictions and stay-at-home are dramatically increasing the risk of domestic violence.

Objectives
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of various forms of spousal violence against women and explore whether the prevalence of domestic violence changed during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to its prevalence one year before.

Material and methods
Using a web-based cross-sectional survey, we collected data from 2,190 Egyptian women using an anonymous online questionnaire. The survey was conducted through a link shared on social networks from 20 May 2020 to 20 June 2020. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic variables and details of domestic violence.

Results
The overall prevalence of spousal violence during the COVID-19 pandemic was 43.2%, with physical violence being the most common type. 52.75% of abused women did not disclose the abuse or seek assistance although suffering. The findings revealed a significant increase in the rate of the overall spousal violence and all forms of violence (emotional, physical and sexual violence) during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine (p < 0.05). Age, duration of marriage, educational status of subjects and their spouses, residence, spouse with substance-abuse, depression, and insomnia were reported as significant predictors of domestic violence among the Egyptian women.

Conclusions
The prevalence of domestic violence in Egypt is considerably high and significantly increased during COVID-19 pandemic.