Violence against women in Southern Algeria: forensic epidemiology, prevalence, and contextual insights from a medico-legal cohort

Violence against women (VAW) remains a major public health issue worldwide, with significant physical and psychological consequences. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, prevalence rates are among the highest globally, yet Southern Algeria remains largely undocumented, with sociocultural norms that reinforce silence and hinder help-seeking. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and psychological impact of VAW among women consulting a forensic medicine department in Southern Algeria, using the validated Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Among 596 forensic consultations, 146 involved women, of whom 131 (89.7%) were confirmed VAW cases. A total of 106 women with complete PCL-5 data were included in the analysis. The mean age of participants was 34.0 years ; most victims were married (66.0%) and assaulted at home (77.4%). The mean PCL-5 score was 33.14 (SD 16.97), with 56.6% meeting criteria for probable PTSD. Multivariate analysis identified trunk injuries (OR = 15.84, 95% CI 2.91–86.32), male perpetrator (OR = 14.47, 95% CI 1.52–137.82), and home-based assault (OR = 6.88, 95% CI 1.36–34.76) as independent predictors of PTSD. These findings reflect cases referred to medico-legal services rather than population-level prevalence. Interpersonal violence among women seeking medico-legal care in Southern Algeria is frequent and associated with severe psychological impact. Domestic settings, male perpetrators, and trunk injuries are the strongest predictors of acute post-traumatic symptoms. These findings highlight the need for integrated medico-psychosocial interventions and routine PTSD screening in forensic and healthcare settings. Further population-based studies are warranted to assess the overall burden of violence against women in the region.