Violence Against Young Men and Women: A Vital Health Issue

Violence is regarded as a major health issue in an increasing amount of literature and is known as an important factor in women’s ill health. Little however is known about violence against young men and women and its impact on their health. The principal aim of this study was to analyze health outcomes and health care utilization as reported among men and women aged 18-25 exposed and not exposed to physical and/or emotional violence.

A cross-sectional national health survey in Sweden.

Postal questionnaires were sent to nearly 3,000 men and women. Three questions were used to ask about violence. Sociodemographic characteristics for those exposed to violence during the past 12 months were analyzed and compared to those not exposed. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated for health outcomes and medical care utilization.

Increased odds ratios were found for most health outcomes, and health care utilization for those exposed to violence compared to non-exposed. After adjusting for socioeconomic factors, smoking, and use of alcohol and cannabis, most variables were principally unchanged for women but considerably lower for men. Socioeconomic factors, smoking, and the use of drugs were all correlated to victimization.

A strong association between those exposed to violence and physical and mental ill health was demonstrated also after adjusting for possible confounders, specifically for women. It is time to include questions about violence in public health questionnaires aimed at young people, but also to start asking about it more frequently in health care settings.