Lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence against women in an urban Brazilian city: A cross-sectional survey.

Tendai Kwaramba,Aline Chotte Oliveira,Catherine A Staton,Luciano De Andrade,Joseph Lunyera,Cyrus Elahi,Paulo Rafael Sanches Calvo,Joao Ricardo Nickenig Vissoci,Jinny J Ye,Yukiko Washio

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224204

Abstract

BackgroundIntimate partner violence is a global health burden that disproportionately affects women and their health outcomes. Women in Brazil are also affected by interpersonal violence. We aimed to estimate the lifetime prevalence of three forms of interpersonal violence against women (IPVAW) and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with IPVAW in one urban Brazilian city.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, we interviewed women aged ≥18 years in the urban Brazilian city, Maringá, who currently have or have had an intimate partner. The 13-item WHO Violence Against Women instrument was used to ask participants about their experiences with intimate partner violence, categorized into psychological, physical and sexual violence. We estimated associations between IPVAW and sociodemographic characteristics using generalized linear models.Results and conclusionsOf the 419 women who were enrolled and met inclusion criteria, lifetime prevalence of IPVAW was 56%. Psychological violence was more prevalent (52%) than physical (21%) or sexual violence (13%). Twenty-eight women (6.4%) experienced all three forms of IPVAW. Women were more likely to experience violence if they were employed, did not live with their partner or had 4 or more children. Educational level, household income, age and race were not significantly associated factors. Our findings highlight a high prevalence of IPVAW in a community in southern Brazil.

Highlights

At some point in their lifetime, 1 in 3 women worldwide will have experienced intimate partner violence.[1]
Our findings highlight a high prevalence of Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) in a community in southern Brazil
In this cross-sectional study in the southern Brazilian city of Maringa, we found that lifetime prevalence of at least one form of IPVAW was 56%

Summary

Introduction

At some point in their lifetime, 1 in 3 women worldwide will have experienced intimate partner violence.[1] Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as women’s self-reported experience of physical, sexual or psychological harm or threats of such harm at the hands of their intimate partners or ex-partners. The growing recognition of IPVAW as a prevalent global issue was informed by the WHO’s Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Against Women. The WHO Multi-Country Study found a lifetime physical violence ranging from 13% to 61%, sexual violence from 6% to 59%, and psychological violence from 21% to 90%.[1]. Women in Brazil are affected by interpersonal violence. We aimed to estimate the lifetime prevalence of three forms of interpersonal violence against women (IPVAW) and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with IPVAW in one urban Brazilian city

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion