backgrounds & effects of domestic violence against women referred to law-medicine center of babol, iran

background & objectives: domestic violence(dv) is the most prevalent form of violence against women. it is associated with many socio-economic & psychological complications. this research was conducted to identify the causes and effects of violence against women & also characterization of victims. materials & methods: this cross sectional & prospective study included all referring women to law-medicine center of babol in one year(feb- apr 2001). women with dv(183) were considered as case group and those who were married & had no history of dv were included in control group (325). data were collected by questionnaire, interview & physical examination. results: prevalence of dv was 36% in referred cases. physical injuries were the most. 13% complained of sexual violence. 71% of women had psychosomatic signs and symptoms. head & neck (22.3%) & the limbs (21.6%) were the most common sites of injury. most of the violence’s were of the hitting or beating types (54%) but penetrating injuries were also observed (41%). bruises and superficial wounds  were the most common signs of physical trauma. 24% of the referred women had serious physical damages. the most common background for violence were addiction & behavioral disorders. discussion: this study showed a high prevalence of  domestic violence against women in comparison with studies elsewhere. most of the violence's were in the age range of 20-40, in marriages less than 10 years of duration and in those with fewer children. health workers should be able to find women in risk of violence and support them.