Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a huge public health problem. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and influence of sociodemographic and health characteristics on IPV victimization and perpetration among women and men 15 years and older in South Africa.MATERIALS & METHODS: Data based on the South African national population-based survey in 2012 for 15916 (8532 women and 7384 men) aged 15 years and older who were in an intimate partner relationship were analysed. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess the association between sociodemographic factors, health variables and IPV victimization and perpetration.RESULTS: Among women, 8.5% had experienced any form of IPV in the past 12 months, and 3.5% of the women had engaged in IPV perpetration in the past 12 months. Among men, 5.0% had experienced any form of IPV in past 12 months, and 4.4% of the men had engaged in IPV perpetration in the past 12 months. In multivariable logistic regression analysis among women, younger age, being African Black, having psychological distress, having been a victim of violent crime and having had multiple sexual partners were associated with IPV victimization in the past 12 months, while younger age, psychological distress, hazardous or harmful alcohol use, and having had multiple sexual partners was associated with IPV perpetration in the past 12 months. In multivariable logistic regression analysis among men, younger age, psychological distress, hazardous or harmful alcohol use, and having been a victim of violence crime was associated with IPV victimization in the past 12 months, while younger age, poor health status, psychological distress, hazardous or harmful alcohol use, and illicit drug use was associated with IPV perpetration in the past 12 months.CONCLUSION: Past 12-month prevalence of IPV victimization and perpetration among women and men was significant. IPV gender commonalities and differences in risk factors, such as psychological distress, substance use, crime victimization and sexual risk behaviour, may inform strategies of violence prevention programmes.
Highlights
Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to “behaviour by an intimate partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, and psychological abuse and controlling behaviours.” (WHO, 2016, p.1); a person can be a victim or perpetrator of IPV (WHO, 2013)
Among women, 8.5% had experienced any form of IPV in the past 12 months, and 3.5% of the women had engaged in IPV perpetration in the past 12 months
5.0% had experienced any form of IPV in past 12 months, and 4.4% of the men had engaged in IPV perpetration in the past 12 months
Summary
Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to “behaviour by an intimate partner or ex-partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including physical aggression, sexual coercion, and psychological abuse and controlling behaviours.” (WHO, 2016, p.1); a person can be a victim or perpetrator of IPV (WHO, 2013). IPV is a huge public health problem, especially in lower resourced countries (WHO, 2013). The past 12-month prevalence of IPV victimization among women seem to range between less than 4% in many high-income countries and 40% in some lower income countries (Heise & Kotsadam, 2015). In the United States, the past 12-month prevalence of severe IPV victimization was 2.3% among women and 2.1% among men Regarding IPV perpetration, a study in eight developing countries found across countries that 31% of men reported IPV perpetration in their lifetime (Fleming et al, 2015). IPV has a range of negative health impacts, including injury, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), poor mental health, and addiction (Campbell, 2002; Ellsberg et al, 2008)
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