A study on direct costs of domestic violence against women in Legal Medicine Centers of Tehran (2002)

Background: Domestic violence is exceedingly prevalent and is recognized as a health priority by World Health Organization. The prevalence of domestic violence against women has been the topic of a number of previous studies, very few of which have looked into direct and/or indirect costs it imposes on the victim and the state. The current study seeks to determine the direct costs looking into the wife abuse files in Legal Medicine Centers of Tehran. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study. Based on Legal Medicine Organization's report on the number of annual visits and proportion of spouse abuse cases in the five centers of Tehran, a sample size of 225 was calculated. A questionnaire was developed to gather information, which was then utilized to estimate the direct costs that domestic violence (against women) imposed on the victims. The figure would mirror all expenses on medical services, legal-judiciary follow up, commuting, and any sundry charges. Results: The subjects had spent, on average, $66.8 for healthcare services (including $12.8 for visits, $12.02 for prescribed drugs, $16.5 for radiologic studies, and $25.5 for laboratory tests). Given the estimated number of 9,050 female victims attending Legal Medicine Organization (during the study period, the total medical service expenses approach $142210.6. In 2002, related legal services expenses (as charged by the police force) were $741996.3. In the same year, the sundry charges were $163052.1. The estimated total costs sums up as high as $1047259. Conclusion: The calculated figure only reflects expenses of first-time visits and what was spent before attending Legal Medicine Centers. Were additional visits and related expenses taken into account, a more precise estimate would have been produced. Nonetheless, the current figure well indicates high expenses of domestic violence on the state and the nation.