Predictors Of Intimate Partner Violence Research Articles

Alcohol use as a predictor of intimate partner violence in emerging adulthood: A dyadic daily diary investigation.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that alcohol preceded and increased the odds of intimate partner violence (IPV). These prior studies were restricted to one dyad member despite theory suggesting that acute alcohol use by both partners should increase the risk for IPV to a greater degree than when only one partner drinks. We hypothesized that alcohol use by both dyad members, relative to one or no dyad members, would proximally precede and increase the odds of IPV perpetration and victimization. A 60-day daily diary design was used, where both dyad members of dating couples completed independent reports on IPV perpetration/victimization and alcohol use via a secure survey website. Alcohol using college-student couples, aged 18-25 (n = 181 couples), from a Midwestern university in the United States participated. A convenience sample strategy was used. Daily surveys asked about alcohol use and IPV perpetration and victimization the prior day, including whether alcohol use preceded or followed IPV. The primary outcome was psychological IPV; secondary outcomes were physical and sexual IPV. Longitudinal random effects models suggested statistically significant associations between drinking behavior and IPV outcomes. The odds of psychological IPV perpetration were higher when both partners were drinking relative to one partner drinking [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-1.99]. Exploratory analyses showed some indication that the odds of physical IPV victimization were higher when both partners were drinking relative to one partner drinking (aOR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.71-4.21). The risk for intimate partner violence appears to be greater when both partners drink, relative to one partner or neither partner.

Prevalence, pattern and predictors of intimate partner violence amongst female undergraduates in Abia State, Nigeria; public health implications

BackgroundIntimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the range of sexually, psychologically and physically coercive acts used against adult and adolescent women by a current or former male partner. It is a major public health problem globally. This study determined the prevalence, patterns and predictors of IPV amongst female undergraduates in Abia State.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from January - February 2022 amongst 306 female undergraduates in Abia State. A mixed method of an online structured questionnaire created on Google forms & onsite self-administered questionnaire were deployed for data collection. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were done using IBM SPSS Version 26.0. The level of significance was set at 5%.ResultsA total of 306 respondents participated in the survey. The overall prevalence of IPV amongst female undergraduates was 51.2% (95% CI: 44.8-57.6%). Emotional abuse was the most common form of abuse 78.9%, followed by Physical abuse 42.0% and Sexual abuse 30.8%. Predictors of IPV reported include female earning/receiving more than their partner monthly (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.20–4.41); male (partner) alcohol consumption (aOR = 5.17; 95% CI: 2.46–10.88), being a smoker of cigarette/marijuana (aOR = 11.01; 95% CI: 1.26–96.25) and having witnessed domestic violence as a child (aOR = 3.55; 95% CI: I.56-8.07). Adverse effects such as unwanted pregnancies (12%), miscarriages (10%), eating/sleeping disorders (21%) and bruises (23%) amongst others were noted in some of the victims.ConclusionOver half of all female undergraduates in Abia State have experienced IPV with emotional abuse being the commonest. Some Individual and relationship factors were identified as predictors of IPV. We recommend intensifying primary prevention campaigns against risk factors identified like smoking and alcohol consumption.

Intimate Partner Violence During Lockdown: The Potent Influence of Stress and Authoritarian Beliefs.

COVID-19 pandemic caused several lockdowns in most countries, enclosing together perpetrators and victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Our study investigates psychological mechanisms associated with IPV. We supposed that stress provoked by the pandemic, as well as adhering to authoritarian beliefs will be a predictor of IPV. Using an online questionnaire, 1,659 individuals indicated whether they had been victim or witnessed IPV at home and filled a perceived stress scale, anxiety, depression, and aggressiveness scales. They were also asked to fill an authoritarianism scale, how they cope with the lockdown situations, and some demographical information. We found that individuals who were victims or witnesses of IPV during the COVID-19 lockdowns tended to have more difficulty isolating at home or to hold stronger authoritarian beliefs. Importantly, the association between authoritarian beliefs and IPV was moderated by perceived stress, suggesting that individuals who hold authoritarian views may be more affected by stress, which could increase the risk of experiencing or witnessing IPV. IPV incidents during the pandemic lockdowns may be partially explained by perceived stress, which is amplified by authoritarian attitudes. Further discussions on the causes of IPV and interventions are suggested.

Prevalence and predictors of Intimate Partner Violence among Women of Reproductive Age in Plateau state, North-Central Nigeria

Introduction: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is an important public health problem that affects both men and women, especially women globally. This study brings to bear, the prevalence and predictors of IPV among women of reproductive age in Plateau state, Nigeria.
 Materials and methods: An analysis of secondary data from the 2018 NDHS dataset was done. The survey collected data on a sample of women within the reproductive age group 15-49 years in Plateau State. The data set was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.
 Results: A total of 139 responded to the questions on IPV in Plateau state, more of whom are within the age range of 25-39 years (67.6%) and resided in rural areas (77%). The overall prevalence of IPV was 62.6%, that of more severe physical violence was 7.9%, 15.8% for less severe physical violence, emotional violence was 58.3% and 12.2% for sexual violence. Living in rural a rural area (OR=4.28; 95% CI=1.72-10.93), belonging to the middle/rich/richer wealth quintile (OR=0.25; 95% CI=0.11-0.59), and having a partner who has control issues (OR=2.67; 95% CI=1.32-5.38) were significant predictors of IPV. Having a non-professional job also showed higher odds of IPV but it was not statistically significant (OR=1.67; 95% CI=0.56-4.97).
 Conclusion: The prevalence of IPV among women in Plateau state was found to be high, with socio-economic status significantly predicting its occurrence. Opportunities for improving the socioeconomic status of women in the state, especially those in rural areas should be encouraged by providing better jobs and creating public awareness that would discourage IPV.

Association of Intimate Partner Violence and Nutritional Status of Women (aged 15-49 years) in West Bengal, India

Background: Violence against women- especially Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and sexual violence is one of the major public health problems in both developing and developed countries. The aim of the present study was to investigate IPV and nutritional status of women ages 15-49 years in West Bengal, India. Methods: We used National Family Health Survey data, 2015-2016 of West Bengal, India. 1981 sample was used for the present study. Nutritional status was measured by Body Mass Index (BMI) and anemia. IPV included physical, emotional and sexual violence with or without controlled behavior. Other socio economic and demographic factors like educational attainments, age of the respondent, occupation, caste, religion, wealth index, residential pattern etc. were considered in this study for possible predictors of IPV. Results: The study revealed that prevalence of underweight and anemia among women in West Bengal, India was 20% and 20.1% respectively. More prevalence of underweight and anemia were observed among women who were exposed to physical, emotional and sexual violence by their intimate partner. Though we did not find any significant association of IPV and nutritional status, however a significant association was found between educational attainment and IPV. Study revealed that chances of underweight and anemia among women decreased with increased educational level of women. Respondents belonging in rich family were more likely to have better health status among women in West Bengal. No significant association was found between anemic status of women and their age, educational attainment and occupation. However, logistic regression model demonstrated that Muslim and other women were more likely to have anemia than Hindu women. Conclusion: The study concluded that IPV played an important role in increasing likelihood of women’s nutritional and anemic status. The study also showed that some socio-economic and demographic factors were predictors of women’s nutritional and anemic status. Our findings can help government and NGOs for taking health policy to improve the health status of women aged 15-49 years.

Predictors of intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age group from Rwanda

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is an important global health and human rights concern, with significant prevalence in Rwanda. This study aimed to identify predictors of IPV among women of reproductive age in Rwanda, providing essential insights for targeted interventions. Methods Data from the Rwanda Demographic Health and Survey 2019-20, a nationally representative survey, were analyzed. The study included 14,634 women aged 15-49. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis to check the experiences of IPV by background characteristics of the women and logistic regression were used to explore associations between background characteristics and IPV. Results The study revealed that women's educational status, wealth index, witnessing parental violence, husband or partner's drinking habit, and fear of husbands or partners were significantly associated with IPV. Women with higher education and those from wealthier households were less likely to experience IPV. In contrast, women whose partners consumed alcohol and those who feared their partners faced higher risks of IPV. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of addressing social determinants such as education, economic status, and alcohol consumption patterns in efforts to reduce IPV in Rwanda. The findings show up the urgency of comprehensive interventions and policies aimed at promoting gender equality and preventing intimate partner violence.

Influence of Family Functioning and Communication on Intimate Partner Violence in Female University Students who Migrated to Metropolitan Lima

Objective: To determine the influence of family functioning and family communication as predictors of intimate partner violence in female university students who migrated internally to Metropolitan Lima in Peru.
 
 Material And Methods: Cross-sectional and predictive study, developed in a sample of n=310 young women, with an average age of 21 years, selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES-IV), the Family Communication Scale (FCS) and the Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST) were used. Descriptive and inferential analyses were estimated for the relationship of variables, Pearson's coefficient and multiple linear regression to determine the prediction of intimate partner violence using SPSS v. 26.
 
 Results: We found significant inverse relationships between intimate partner violence and family communication, balanced cohesion, balanced flexibility and rigid flexibility. While the chaotic flexibility scale was directly related to intimate partner violence. Likewise, family communication and family functioning predict 13.1% of intimate partner violence, and as family communication increases, intimate partner violence decreases (β= -0.10; 95%CI: -0.16 to -0.03).
 
 Conclusion: Coming from families with balanced cohesion, rigid, balanced flexibility decrease the risk of being victims of intimate partner violence and dysfunctional family communication increases intimate partner violence predicting 13.1% of intimate partner violence. Further studies could increase the sample of rural and urban areas to confirm the approximation we report.

Patterns and Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence among Pregnant Women Attending Healthcare Centers in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State

Intimate partner violence though not consistent with our cultural and traditional values and beliefs as a people, is becoming rampant and this is a misnomer. Intimate partner violence (IPV) especially among women is a global phenomenon and has become a major public health concern. The researcher adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design to assess patterns and predictors of intimate partner violence among pregnant mothers attending healthcare Centre’s in Obio/Akpor L.G.A., River’s state. A self-structured survey was utilized to gather information from 416 systematically selected pregnant mothers with a response rate of 412(99%). Data was evaluated utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics at a 5% degree of significance. Findings showed that many of the respondents ages 23 – 31years, married, with tertiary education, of Christian faith, were into business and had two children. The prevalence of IPV before pregnancy was 21.4% while in current pregnancy it was 20.1%. The most common violence act was physical 83(20.1%), followed by verbal violence 79(19.2%), emotional violence accounted for 76(18.4%), psychological violence 68(16.5%) while the least reported was sexual violence with about 57(13.8%). Domestic and financial issues were the cause of most violent experiences accounting for 19.9% and 19.4%. Statistical analysis using multinomial logistic regression showed that educational attainment (p; 0.000) and lifestyle of the husband (p = 0.000) were the socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors respectively associated with IPV. It is recommended that screening for intimate partner violence among pregnant women should be provided as uniform care during antenatal visits.

Rural/urban differences in rates and predictors of intimate partner violence and abuse screening among pregnant and postpartum United States residents.

To describe rates and predictors of perinatal intimate partner violence (IPV) and rates and predictors of not being screened for abuse among rural and urban IPV victims who gave birth. This analysis utilized 2016-2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data from 45 states and three jurisdictions. This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study using multistate survey data. This analysis included 201,413 survey respondents who gave birth in 2016-2020 (n = 42,193 rural and 159,220 urban respondents). We used survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression models, stratified by rural/urban residence, to estimate adjusted predicted probabilities and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for two outcomes: (1) self-reported experiences of IPV (physical violence by a current or former intimate partner) and (2) not receiving abuse screening at health care visits before, during, or after pregnancy. Rural residents had a higher prevalence of perinatal IPV (4.6%) than urban residents (3.2%). Rural respondents who were Medicaid beneficiaries, 18-35 years old, non-Hispanic white, Hispanic (English-speaking), or American Indian/Alaska Native had significantly higher predicted probabilities of experiencing perinatal IPV compared with their urban counterparts. Among respondents who experienced perinatal IPV, predicted probabilities of not receiving abuse screening were 21.3% for rural and 16.5% for urban residents. Predicted probabilities of not being screened for abuse were elevated for rural IPV victims who were Medicaid beneficiaries, 18-24 years old, or unmarried, compared to urban IPV victims with those same characteristics. IPV is more common among rural birthing people, and rural IPV victims are at higher risk of not being screened for abuse compared with their urban peers. IPV prevention and support interventions are needed in rural communities and should focus on universal abuse screening during health care visits and targeted support for those at greatest risk of perinatal IPV.

Food Insecurity and Intimate Partner Violence in Mwanza, Tanzania: A Longitudinal Analysis

Food insecurity is a potential predictor of intimate partner violence. This study (1) describes the prevalence of food insecurity and various forms of intimate partner violence experience among women in Mwanza, Tanzania; and (2) assesses the effect of food insecurity and hunger on various forms of women's experience of intimate partner violence longitudinally. Women (aged 18-70 years) who reported being in a relationship in the past 12 months, who had participated in the control arms of two randomized controlled trials conducted as part of the MAISHA study were interviewed at four time points (N=1,004 at baseline in 2017). Analyses were conducted in 2022. Associations between food insecurity exposures and intimate partner violence outcomes were assessed, and univariate random effect logistic models were conducted to identify relevant sociodemographic variables (including age, education level, and SES) that were statistically significant. Multivariable random effects logistic models were conducted, including time as a fixed effect, to calculate odds ratios indicating associations between food insecurity exposures and intimate partner violence outcomes. Prevalence of food insecurity was 47.7%, 55.6%, 47.2%, and 50.8% for each of the 4 waves, respectively, with significant difference in proportion of food insecurity between baseline and Wave 2. Multivariable random effects models indicated that food insecurity was associated with increased odds of exposure to all forms of intimate partner violence outcomes, and hunger was significantly associated with increased odds of experience of all intimate partner violence outcomes, apart from controlling behaviors. Results from this longitudinal analysis of food insecurity and women's reports of intimate partner violence experience in a low- and middle-income country setting indicate that food insecurity is significantly associated with all forms of intimate partner violence, apart from controlling behaviors, among women in this sample in Mwanza, Tanzania. Policy and programmatic implications include the need for integrated intimate partner violence prevention programming to take into account household food needs.

Prevalence and Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Among Youth With Foster Care Histories.

A small but growing body of research suggests that adolescents and young adults involved with the child welfare system and those transitioning out of foster care are at heightened risk of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). Understanding the factors that place youth at risk of IPV is central to prevention and treatment of this public health problem. However, questions remain about the prevalence and correlates of IPV among youth in foster care. Additionally, emotional abuse, a particular form of IPV in intimate partnerships, remains an understudied area in this population. This study aimed to address these gaps in research by exploring factors associated with IPV using longitudinal data from a representative sample of older youth in California Foster Care who participated in the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH). Our IPV outcome measures included victimization, perpetration, bidirectional IPV, and emotional abuse. Findings suggest that approximately one-fifth (20.4%) of CalYOUTH respondents had experienced some form of IPV at age 23, with emotional abuse and bidirectional violence being the most commonly reported types of IPV. Females reported emotional abuse, as well as bidirectional violence, at nearly double the rates of their male counterparts. Self-identified sexual minority youth (SMY; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning) were more likely to report IPV victimization, IPV perpetration, and bidirectional violence than their non-SMY peers. Youth with histories of emotional abuse, caregiver IPV victimization, sexual abuse in foster care, placement instability, substance use, anxiety, and incarceration were also at heightened risk of IPV involvement. Emotional abuse was most prevalent with SMY. The findings contribute to the growing research on IPV among transition-age foster youth with important implications for future research, practice, and policy.

Predictors of intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at state specialist hospital Ikere-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria.

The study determined the socio-demographic predictors of reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in State Specialist Hospital Ikere-Ekiti. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used and a pretested questionnaire was administered to 390 pregnant women who were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The prevalence rate IPV was 38.8 %, sexual violence (35.6%), followed by physical (35.1%), verbal (33.8%) and psychological (33.6%) was reported. The study found a significant relationship (p <0.05) between socio-demographic characteristics and IPV. The prevalence of IPV among the study participants was high, age of partner, years in relationship, age at marriage, educational status, occupational status, income and parity were predictors of IPV. Therefore, it is highly imperative for nurse-midwives to have a high index of suspicion and screen for intimate partner violence, especially physical and sexual violence during pre-natal care.

Intimate Partner Violence and Its Associated Factors Among Women in Owo, Ondo-State, Southwest, Nigeria

Background: Intimate Partner Violence is a public health problem of global magnitude that majorly affects women and is often under-reported. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence, its pattern, and its associated factors with a view to reducing the burden. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 347 consenting adult females. Data was collected using the adaptation of the World Health Organization’s Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence against Women questionnaire–a cross-culturally validated instrument. Data were analysed using the SPSS version 22 and a p-value < 5% was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 41.77 ± 15.64 years. The overall prevalence of IPV was 71.2%. The types of violence in descending order revealed controlling behaviour (49.6%), psychological (47.0%), physical (32.9%), and sexual (19.6%). IPV was significantly associated with marital status (p = 0.023), partners’ being drunk (p = 0.025), money problems (p = 0.002), absence of food at home (p = 0.015), jealousy (p=0.012), sex refusal (p =< 0.001), disobedience to partners (p = 0.003), other situations like children matters (p =< 0.001) and partners’ belief in wife-beating (p = 0.002). Logistic regression revealed partners’ belief in wife beating (OR = 3.734, CI = 1.610 to 8.660, p = 0.002) to be the sole predictor of Intimate Partner Violence. Conclusion: Intimate Partner Violence was prevalent and solely predicted by Partners belief in wife-beating. This, therefore, calls for partners’ education against such beliefs.

Spatial distribution and predictors of lifetime experience of intimate partner violence among women in South Africa.

In recent times, intimate partner has gained significant attention. However, there is limited evidence on the spatial distribution and predictors of intimate partner violence. Therefore, this study examined the spatial distribution and predictors of intimate partner violence in South Africa. The dataset for this study was obtained from a cross-sectional survey of the 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey. We adopted both spatial and multilevel analyses to show the distribution and predictors of intimate partner violence among 2,410 women of reproductive age who had ever experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime in South Africa. The spatial distribution of intimate partner violence in South Africa ranged from 0 to 100 percent. Western Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape were predicted areas that showed a high proportion of intimate partner violence in South Africa. The likelihood of experiencing intimate partner violence among women in South Africa was high among those who were cohabiting [aOR = 1.41; 95%(CI = 1.10-1.81)] and women who were previously married [aOR = 2.09; 95%(CI = 1.30-3.36)], compared to women who were currently married. Women who lived in households with middle [aOR = 0.67; 95%(CI = 0.48-0.95)] and richest wealth index [aOR = 0.57; 95%(CI = 0.34-0.97)] were less likely to experience lifetime intimate partner violence compared to those of the poorest wealth index. The study concludes that there is a regional variation in the distribution of intimate partner violence in South Africa. A high prevalence of intimate partner violence was found among women who live in the Western Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape. Furthermore, predictors such as women within the poorest wealth index, women who were cohabiting and those who were previously married should be considered in the development and implementation of interventions against intimate partner violence in South Africa.

Is Intergenerational Transmission of Violence a Strong Predictor of Intimate Partner Violence? Evidence from Nepal

Literature on women’s economic empowerment argues that women’s income builds resilience and leads to reduction in intimate partner violence (IPV). We challenge this by showing a positive (statistically) insignificant link between women’s economic status and IPV, but significant positive links between women’s economic contribution and IPV, and men’s intergenerational violent behaviour and IPV. Based on a sample of 553 married women drawn from Nepal, we find that paid or precarious work is positively but insignificantly associated with IPV. Findings however reveal that after controlling for other factors, women contributing equally or more to household income are significantly at higher risks of IPV. Similarly, if a man has witnessed domestic violence while growing up, he is more likely to commit violence within his own marriage. We therefore argue for the need to transform men’s attitude and behaviours through targeted programmes to break the cycle of violence.

Violence against women from partners and other household members during COVID-19 in Burkina Faso and Kenya

BackgroundGlobal evidence indicates increases in gender-based violence (GBV) during the COVID-19 pandemic following mitigation measures, such as stay at home orders. Indirect effects of the pandemic, including income loss, strained social support, and closed or inaccessible violence response services, may further exacerbate GBV and undermine help-seeking. In Kenya and Burkina Faso, as in many settings, GBV was prevalent prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies specific to COVID-impact on GBV in Kenya indicate mixed results and there remains a lack of evidence from Burkina Faso. Our study takes a comprehensive lens by addressing both intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-partner household abuse through the COVID-19 pandemic in two priority settings.MethodsAnnual, national cross-sections of women ages 15–49 completed survey data collection in November–December 2020 and December 2020–March 2021; the GBV module was limited to one woman per household [Kenya n = 6715; Burkina n = 4065]. Descriptive statistics, Venn diagrams, and logistic and multinomial regression characterized prevalence of IPV and other household abuse, frequency relative to the COVID-19 pandemic, help-seeking behaviors, and predictors of IPV and household abuse across the socioecological framework.ResultsIn both settings, past-year IPV prevalence exceeded non-partner household abuse (Kenya: 23.5%IPV, 11.0%household; Burkina Faso: 25.7%IPV, 16.2%household). Over half of those affected in each setting did not seek help; those that did turned first to family. Among those with past-year experiences, increased frequency since COVID-19 was noted for IPV (16.0%Burkina Faso; 33.6%Kenya) and household violence (14.3%Burkina Faso; 26.2%Kenya). Both context-specific (i.e., financial autonomy in Burkina Faso) and universal (i.e., COVID-related income loss) risk factors emerged.ConclusionPast-year IPV and household violence against women in Kenya and Burkina Faso were prevalent, and in some cases, intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across settings, help-seeking from formal services was notably low, likely reflecting shame, blame, and stigmatization identified as barriers in pre-COVID literature. Both primary prevention and survivor-centered support services, including those related to economic empowerment, should be integrated within COVID-recovery efforts, and extended into the post-pandemic period to fully meet women’s safety needs.

Depression, Stress and the Mediating Role of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Among Israeli Women of Childbearing Age in the Shadow of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Dealing with the outbreak of the new coronavirus has generated unprecedented challenges around the world, including in Israel. Women of childbearing age may be forced to live under particularly difficult circumstances during the pandemic. The current study among Israeli women of childbearing age has three main objectives related to the specific period of the COVID-19 pandemic: to study the prevalence and predictors of intimate partner violence (IPV); to investigate the prevalence and predictors of depression; to examine whether IPV mediates the association between general stress, fear of COVID-19 and depression as an outcome. In a cross-sectional study, 722 married women, Jewish and Arab residents of Israel, were recruited to answer an online self-completion questionnaire during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire included an assessment of their degree of general stress and depression, fear of COVID-19, experiences of IPV and demographic variables. The results of the current study show that a high percentage of women reported IPV (with Muslim women reporting higher IPV than Jewish women), perceived stress (PSS), perceived COVID-19 stress and depression. The findings also show that IPV and its three dimensions mediate the relationship between COVID-19 stress and depression, such that higher stress was related to higher IPV, raising the odds for depression. Moreover, the total scores for IPV and emotional violence were found to mediate the relationship between stress and depression. That is, domestic violence explains part of the association between stress and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, the current pandemic has resulted in an increase in IPV and depression, and especially in the specific stress associated with the disease itself. Based on the findings of the current study, preventing violence will reduce stress-related depression. The Muslim population, and especially those who are more religious, is in particular need of intervention.

Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Among Pregnant Women- A Hospital Based Study in Accra, Ghana

Introduction: Intimate partner violence in Pregnancy is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of women worldwide. The term describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. It has been associated with death of both mother and baby in the severest forms of physical intimate partner violence (IPV), ante-partum hemorrhage, placenta abruption, premature birth, small for age babies, fetal injury from maternal trauma, spontaneous abortion, still births among others. There is a dearth of published studies focusing on IPV among pregnant women in Ghana.Methods: This was an unmatched case control study, conducted among pregnant women who visited the Police Hospital for ANC from June to August 2016. We sought to determine the forms of IPV among cases, and identify the associated risk factors.Results: All three forms of IPV were represented. There was no statistically significant difference between the means of ages of the cases and controls, age of their partners, and duration of relationship. In bivariate analysis, mothers were less likely to be victims of IPVif they had tertiary education, had salaried work or were nulliparous and also if their partners were salaried. They were more likely to be victims of IPV if they took alcohol and if their partners also took alcohol. In the multivariate analysis, however, only partner’s alcoholintake was a significant predictor of IPV (AOR 2.12, p value 0.009).Conclusions: Alcohol use by the partner could be used to screen for IPV among pregnant women in a hospital setting

Spatial distribution and predictors of intimate partner violence among women in Nigeria

BackgroundGlobally, intimate partner violence is one of the major health problems women face every day. Its consequences are enormous. However, our search of the available literature revealed that no study had examined the spatial distribution of intimate partner violence and the predictors of intimate partner violence among women in Nigeria using current nationally representative data. This study, therefore, sought to examine the spatial distribution of intimate partner violence and its predictors among women in Nigeria.MethodWe sourced data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey for this study. A sample size of 8,968 women was considered for this study. We employed both multilevel and spatial analyses to ascertain the factors associated with intimate partner violence and its spatial clustering.ResultsThe hot spot areas for intimate partner violence in Nigeria were Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Plateau, Kogi, Edo, Ebonyi, and Rivers. The likelihood of experiencing intimate partner violence among women in Nigeria was high among women with primary education, those that were previously married, women currently working, women who were Yoruba, women with parity of four and above and women who were exposed to mass media while low odds of intimate partner violence was reported among women who were Muslims. Women who resided in the North East region and those who lived in communities with medium socioeconomic status were more likely to experience intimate partner violence, while women who were within the richest wealth index and those residing in the South West region were less likely to experience intimate partner violence.ConclusionThe study found regional variations in the prevalence of intimate partner violence among women in Nigeria. Therefore, policymakers should focus their attention on the hotspots for intimate partner violence in the country. There is also the need to consider the factors identified in this study to reduce intimate partner violence among women in Nigeria. Empowering women would yield a significant improvement in the fight against gender-based violence.

Contextual Factors Associated With Women's Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence in Tajikistan: Findings From the 2012 and 2017 Demographic and Health Surveys.

The study employed data from the 2012 and 2017 Tajikistan Demographic and Health Surveys to examine two time periods on media access, interview setting, and sociodemographic predictors of intimate partner violence (IPV) justification attitudes among representative samples of women aged 15-49 years old (9,656 and 10,718 women, respectively) in Tajikistan. The odds of justifying IPV were higher for women who had access to radio and lower for those who had access to newspaper and television. The presence of the husband and other women during the interview was associated with lower justification of IPV. The findings emphasize the importance of contextual factors in developing effective IPV intervention policies.