Domestic Violence in Conakry, Guinea: Social Dynamics, Victim Profiles, and Institutional Responses from Medico-Legal Evidence

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Background : Domestic violence is a major public health, human rights, and criminal justice issue worldwide. In Guinea, medico-legal evidence on domestic violence remains scarce despite its growing social and judicial importance. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological, contextual, and medico-legal characteristics of domestic violence cases examined at the Forensic Medicine Unit of the Regional Hospital of Conakry. Methods : A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using medico-legal records collected between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024. All victims of domestic violence examined during the study period were included. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, relationship to the perpetrator, circumstances of violence, injury patterns, instruments used, and Total Temporary Incapacity (TTI) were extracted and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results : Among 3,693 medico-legal consultations, 579 (15.7%) involved domestic violence. Women accounted for 52.8% of victims, while 66.5% were aged 20–39 years. Most victims were married (54.8%), unemployed (36.9%), and resided in densely populated urban or peri-urban areas. Perpetrators were mainly husbands (35.9%) and in-laws (39.0%). Family disputes were the leading reported cause of violence (64.7%). Physical violence predominated (61.7%), with contusions representing the most common injuries (44.7%). The head and neck were the most frequently affected anatomical regions (40.9%), and blunt objects were the principal instruments used (63.6%). Most victims had a Total Temporary Incapacity of 21 days or less (94.5%), although severe cases requiring longer incapacity were also identified. Conclusions : Domestic violence represents a substantial proportion of medico-legal activity in Conakry and predominantly affects socio-economically vulnerable young adults. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening forensic medicine services, improving multidisciplinary victim support, and reinforcing coordination between health, social, and judicial sectors to enhance prevention, documentation, and protection of victims.

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