Correlates of intimate partner violence among married women in Uganda: a cross-sectional survey

Elizabeth Nansubuga,Derrick Gubi,Stephen Ojiambo Wandera

doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09123-4

Elizabeth Nansubuga, Derrick Gubi + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09123-4

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Abstract

BackgroundIn Uganda, just like in many sub-Saharan countries, studies on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among married women are limited. The aim of this paper was to determine the correlates of emotional, sexual, physical IPV and any form of IPV among married women in Uganda.MethodsThe 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) data was used, and a weighted sample of 6879 married women were selected from the Domestic Violence module. Frequency distributions were used to describe the characteristics of respondents. Chi-square tests were used to establish the association between IPV and the explanatory variables. Binary logistic regressions were used to establish the factors that were associated with IPV among married women in Uganda.ResultsMore than half (56%) of the married women experienced some form of IPV. Sexual IPV was the least prevalent (23%) and 4 in 10 women (41 and 40%) experienced physical and emotional IPV, respectively. Factors associated with all the different forms of IPV included, age, region, witnessing parental violence, partner’s controlling behaviors, duration of the relationship, and frequency of intoxication of the male partner.ConclusionIPV among Ugandan married women is far too common. This calls for collective efforts to reduce IPV in Uganda by addressing excessive alcohol consumption, controlling behaviors, and lack of awareness of the issue. Interventions aimed at preventing perpetration and tolerance of violence in the home settings should be promoted.

Highlights

In Uganda, just like in many sub-Saharan countries, studies on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among married women are limited
In Uganda, IPV is still the highest contributor to gender-based violence (GBV) with a prevalence level of 40% among ever married women in the 12 months preceding the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS), a rate which surpasses that of the rest of the world (30%) [9, 10]
While IPV has generally declined among women over time, its prevalence remains unacceptably high among Ugandan women

Summary

Introduction

In Uganda, just like in many sub-Saharan countries, studies on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among married women are limited. While IPV has generally declined among women over time, its prevalence remains unacceptably high among Ugandan women. National statistics reveal that more than half (51%) of the cases of violence go unreported in Uganda [9]. This is partly due to the tolerance or acceptance of violence, which is rooted in socio-cultural beliefs that men are unconditionally entitled to sex [9].

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