Objectives: To determine and compare gender-based violence characteristics in urban populations and urban fringe. Design: Comparative cross-sectional prospective study. Setting: School of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru. Participants: Women from Lima and Callao. Interventions: Between 2007 and 2010 a structured interview was applied to 3 971 women from urban areas and marginal urban areas of Lima and Callao. Women included were local residents, and women with obvious psychological problems and speech problems were excluded. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics and chi-square method, with significant level p <0,05. Main outcome measures: Violence. Results: Thirty-nine per cent of respondents were between 20 to 24 years of age; 47% identified physical violence, similar at urban and marginal urban areas. Pushing and slapping ...