Risk factors associated with high prevalence of intimate partner violence amongst school-going young women (aged 15-24years) in Maputo, Mozambique

Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration in Adolescents and Young Adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global public health crisis with long-term adverse consequences for both victims and perpetrators. Patterns of violence often begin during adolescence, yet most interventions target adult relationships. A systematic review was conducted to identify correlates of IPV victimization and perpetration among adolescents and young adults in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Eligible studies included participants 10 to 24 years old, took place in SSA, and tested a statistical association between a correlate and an IPV outcome. Correlates were defined as any condition or characteristic associated with statistically significant increased or decreased risk of IPV victimization or perpetration. PsycInfo, PubMed, Embase, and African Index Medicus were searched and included studies published between January 1, 2000 and February 4, 2022. The search resulted in 3,384 original studies, of which 55 met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Correlates were first qualitatively synthesized by developmental period (e.g., early adolescence, older adolescence, and young adulthood) and then organized in a conceptual framework by correlate type (e.g., socio-demographic; health, behavior, and attitudes; relational; or contextual). Over two decades of literature reveals variability in evidence by developmental period but also substantial overlap in the correlates of victimization and perpetration. This review identifies multiple points for intervention and results suggest the urgent need for earlier, developmentally appropriate prevention efforts among younger adolescents as well as combined approaches that target both victimization and perpetration of IPV.

Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents Living in Urban Slums of Kampala, Uganda

Intimate partner violence (IPV) poses a public health burden, yet few studies have assessed co-existence of physical, emotional, and sexual IPV among adolescents. We assessed recent IPV victimization and associated factors and described IPV patterns and perpetrators among young people from urban slums in Kampala, Uganda. We conducted a prospective cohort study among 14 to 19-year-old individuals enrolled from March 2019 to March 2020 and followed quarterly for 12 months. We collected data on socio-demographics, sexual behavior, and substance use through interviews. Recent IPV victimization was documented at all visits if a participant reported experiencing physical, emotional, and/or sexual IPV in the past 3 months. Baseline factors associated with recent IPV victimization were determined using multivariable logistic regression. We enrolled 490 adolescents (60.6% female) with median age 18 years (Interquartile range (IQR) 17-18 years), 91.0% had less than secondary level education. Females mainly engaged in sex work (17.5%) and selling fruits/snacks (9.1%) while males commonly earned from sale of metal scrap or plastic waste (28.5%), 41% reported ≥10 life-time sexual partners, 16.1% were high-risk alcohol drinkers and 34.9% used illicit drugs in the past 3 months. Overall, 27.8% reported recent IPV victimization (20.0% females) with emotional IPV being common (17.8%). At baseline, recent IPV victimization was associated with high-risk alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.44, 4.58]), reported paid sex in the past 3 months (aOR 1.82; [1.02, 3.22]) and being separated (aOR 2.47; [1.29, 4.73]). Recent IPV victimization declined from baseline to month 9 and increased at month 12 visits which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. IPV victimization is high among young people living in urban slums with emotional IPV being prevalent. IPV interventions are needed and should also address excessive alcohol consumption.

Intimate partner violence among unmarried young women (18-24 years) in urban communities, Ibadan, Nigeria

OBJECTIVES

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global health problem that affects more than one-third of women globally. Young women who experience IPV face the same consequences as older women. Previous studies on IPV have not studies young women exclusively, thus, we aimed to report the prevalence of IPV and predictors among young women in Ibadan, Nigeria.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional survey, using multistage cluster technique was conducted to determine the past-year prevalence of IPV among unmarried young women (n=736) from 20 communities in five Local Government Areas in Ibadan, Nigeria. The independent variables were respondents and their partners' background information. Dependent variables were experience of physical, sexual, psychological and any IPV. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression (α_0.05).

RESULTS

Psychological IPV was the most prevalent form of IPV (50.1 %). Prevalence of any IPV was 56.3 %. At the bivariate level, having children, acceptance of IPV, ever had sex, age at first sex, experience at sexual debut, partners being with other women while being with the respondents, partners alcohol use, and partners witness of abuse as a child were significantly associated with IPV. However, only acceptance of IPV, experience at sexual debut, and partners being with other women while being with the respondents remained significant at the multivariate level.

CONCLUSIONS

IPV is a common occurrence among young women. Both individual and partners characteristics, especially acceptance of IPV contribute significantly to experience of IPV among young women. Hence, interventions targeted at reduction of IPV acceptance will greatly reduce the prevalence of IPV.

Effect of intimate partner violence in pregnancy on maternal and perinatal outcomes at the Korle Bu teaching hospital, Ghana: An observational cross sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between intimate partner violence and pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS

This was a descriptive study of sociodemographic characteristics of participants, their partners and intimate partner violence. Participants' delivery records were reviewed for additional medical and obstetric information and abused women and their neonates followed until discharge. χ² and Student t test were used to assess associations, followed by logistic regression with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A value of P less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The study included 270 participants of whom 84 (31.1%) reported experiencing domestic violence during pregnancy. One hundred and fourteen (42%) had experienced domestic violence pre-pregnancy and 69 (60.5%) of these women experienced further domestic violence during pregnancy. Emotional violence was commonest 80/270 (29.6%) and no sexual violence was reported. Domestic violence declined from 42% (pre-pregnancy) to 31.1% (in-pregnancy) (P = 0.009). Risk factors during pregnancy were young age (15-24 years; OR 5.8, 95% CI1.65-20.38), nulliparity (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.90-7.41), and partner's alcohol consumption (OR 5.04, 95% CI 2.50-10.13). Associated outcomes included late prenatal booking, gestational hypertension, and cephalopelvic disproportion.

CONCLUSION

We found high prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy, preponderance of emotional abuse, and decline of physical abuse. Nulliparity, younger age, and partner's alcohol consumption predicted abuse. Late-booking, gestational hypertension, cephalopelvic disproportion, and fetal distress were associated.

Magnitude and associated factors of intimate partner violence among youth women in Ethiopia: multilevel analysis based on 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey

BACKGROUND

The period of youth is important for the foundation of healthy and stable relationships, women's health and well-being. Youth women face a higher risk of experiencing violence than older women. Intimate partner violence (IPV) against youth women is a significant public health concern. Despite paramount negative health consequences of IPV for the survivor, as per our knowledge, research study on IPV and associated factors among youth women in Ethiopia is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of IPV among youth women in Ethiopia.

METHODS

The data was accessed from 2016 Ethiopia demographic and health survey (EDHS) which was a cross sectional population based household survey. It was also conducted using a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling approach. The data were cleaned, weighted, and analyzed using STATA Version 14 software. The total weighted sample of 1077 youth women were used in this study. Multilevel logistic regression modeling was used to determine factors associated with IPV among youth women. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p value < 0.05 were used to declare the significant variables.

RESULTS

Among the total participants, 30.27% (95% CI 27.59, 33.09) of youth women experienced IPV. Individual level variables such as: Being widowed/divorced/separated (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI 1.33, 3.91), having a partner who drinks alcohol (AOR = 5.76; 95% CI 3.42, 9.69), witnessing inter-parental violence during childhood (AOR = 3.45; 95% CI 2.21, 5.37), being afraid of partners (AOR = 7.09; 95% CI 4.30, 11.68), and from community level variables, youth women residing in communities with a low proportion of educated youth women (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI 0.13, 0.78) were significantly associated with having experience of IPV.

CONCLUSION

The magnitude of intimate partner violence among youth women in Ethiopia was relatively high as compared to the global estimate of IPV. Individual and community level variables such as currently widowed/divorced/separated women, having a partner who drinks alcohol, witnessing inter-parental violence, being afraid of partner, and women from a low proportion of community level youth women's education were significantly associated with intimate partner violence. To decrease this public health problem, it is better to strengthen legislation on the purchase and sale of alcohol, provide legal protection for separated/divorced women, establish effective legal response services for IPV, promote gender equality, and provide psychological support for those who witnessed inter-parental violence during childhood to reduce IPV.

Partner alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence against women in sexual unions in sub-Saharan Africa

INTRODUCTION

Intimate partner violence is increasingly gaining attention as the leading form of violence against women globally, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Given that substance abuse, especially alcohol consumption has long been associated with aggressive behaviour, emotional abuse, and sexual misconduct, it is surprising that studies on the potential association between partner's alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence are scarce. The current study seeks to fill this gap in the literature by examining the association between partner's alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence among women in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey data of 89,229 women aged 15 to 49 in sexual unions from 21 sub-Saharan African countries were pooled from the Demographic and Health Surveys. Percentages with their corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) were used to present the results of the prevalence of partner's alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between partner's alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence. The regression analysis results were presented using adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% CI. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

The pooled prevalence of partner alcohol consumption was 36.3% [36.0-36.6]. The highest prevalence of partner alcohol consumption was found in Burundi (67.1%) with Mali (3.9%) recording the lowest prevalence. Similarly, the overall prevalence of physical violence, emotional violence, and sexual violence among the women were 19.7% [19.2-20.2], 25.0% [24.5-25.5], and 9.7% [9.3-10.1], respectively. In the pooled data, women whose partners consumed alcohol were more likely to experience physical violence [aOR = 2.37, 95% CI = 2.24-2.50], emotional violence [aOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.86-2.07], and sexual violence [aOR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.89-2.18] compared to those whose partners did not consume alcohol. In all the 21 countries, women whose partners consumed alcohol had higher odds for physical and emotional violence. The odds of sexual violence was higher among women whose partners consumed alcohol compared to their counterparts whose partners did not in 20 countries, except Namibia.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that partner's alcohol consumption increases women's likelihood of experiencing physical, emotional, and sexual violence in sub-Saharan Africa. There is the need to implement behavioural change interventions targeted at male partners to reduce alcohol consumption. The findings call for the need to effectively create and organize support networks in addressing intimate partner violence among married and cohabiting women.

Prevalence and associated factors of gender based violence among Baso high school female students, 2020

Background

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a common reproductive health problem, especially in developing countries. It is still the first research priority area in Africa that is identified by World Health Organization. The main aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and determinants of Gender Based Violence among Baso high school female students in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia. A total of 350 female students were selected by stratified sampling technique. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Each independent variable was fitted separately into bivariate logistic analysis, and Variables with p-values less than 0.25 in bivariable model were fitted into multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the degree of association with gender-based violence. The significance level was obtained with 95% CI and p-value < 0.05.

Result

The prevalence of GBV during the lock- down was 36.2% (95% CI 0.3, 0.4), and the lifetime prevalence of GBV was 47.2% (95% CI 0.4, 0.5). The prevalence of life time sexual violence and physical violence were found to be 27.99% (95% CI 0.2, 0.3), and 37.99% (95% CI 0.3, 0.4), respectively. Sexual violence and physical violence during the lockdown were found to be 21.3% and 17.8%, respectively. Respondents educational performance (AOR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.8, 11.3), monthly pocket money received from their parents (AOR = 3; 95% CI 1.6, 5.6), free discussion about reproductive issue (AOR = 2.7; 95% CI 1.4, 5.2), and experience of sexual intercourse (AOR = 13.2; 95% CI 4.8, 36.4) were found to be associated factors of gender based violence.

Conclusion and recommendation

Gender Based Violence is still a significant sexual and reproductive health issue in Ethiopia. Governmental and non-governmental organizations should give due attention to this problem. Moreover, further large-scale studies are needed to estimate the national figure of GBV and to identify route causes.

Gender-based violence (GBV) has been defined as any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person’s will and that is based on socially ascribed (gender) differences between males and females. GBV has a myriad of adverse health effects but is vastly underreported. It is the first research priority in Africa. Every form of violence has devastating effects on the school system such as physical and psychological effects, educational damage and societal breakdown. An institution based cross-sectional study was employed among Baso high school female students. There are four governmental high schools in Debre Berhan town and our study was conducted among Baso high school female students from November 2020–December 2020. The single population proportion formula was used to calculate the required sample size, and the final sample size was 350. First, a stratified random sampling method was employed by considering each grade level as a stratum. Then, a simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants. Study participants were asked about their Sociodemographic characteristics, family history, substance use, sexual experiences, physical violence status, sexual violence status and complications. Out of 350 students, 343 were completed questionnaires, with a response rate of 98%. Lifetime prevalence of GBV was 47.2%.Life time sexual violence and physical violence was found to be 27.99%, and 37.99%, respectively. Respondent’s educational performance, monthly pocket money received from their parents, free discussion about reproductive issue, and experience of sexual intercourse were found to be determinants of gender based violence. In conclusion; Gender Based Violence is still a significant sexual and reproductive health issue in Ethiopia. Significant amount of female students were victim of GBV in our study area.