Sociodemographic and behavioural factors of physical Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetration among men in South Africa

Abstract

Background: In South Africa, alarming rates of male IPV perpetration have been recorded. However, many studies have focused on those affected, and less on the perpetrators. Prevention of male perpetrated IPV needs to be built on evidence of drivers among men at risk for perpetration. Thus, this study examines the sociodemographic and behavioural factors among male IPV perpetrators. Method: This was a quantitative study utilising the cross-sectional design. The study used the 2016 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS). The study included a weighted sample of 1475 men in the male recode. The independent variables of this study included sociodemographic and behavioural factors of men. The dependent variable of the study is male IPV perpetration. Data analysis was done in three phases which include series of frequencies and percentage distributions, Pearson’s chi-square test and binary logistic regression. Results: The results indicated that 19% of men in South Africa have reportedly perpetrated IPV. Male IPV perpetration was high among men in Limpopo (36%) and KwaZulu-Natal (25%), and white males had the highest perpetration rate (29%). Male IPV perpetration was associated with demographic factors which include age (AOR: 0.89; CI:0.824-0.975), age at first cohabitation (AOR: 1.07; CI:1.012-1.113), age of wife/partner (AOR1.12; CI:1.045-1.180). Residing in rural areas (UOR: 1.54; CI:0.993-2.384) was significantly associated with male IPV perpetration (vs urban areas). Men from the Northern Cape (AOR: 0.18; CI: 0.042-0.753), Free State (AOR: 0.07; CI: 0.007-0.543) and North West (AOR: 0.09 CI: 0.014-0.472) were significantly less likely to perpetrate IPV compare to those from Western Cape. Male IPV perpetration was also associated with involving the wife/partner in household decision making (vs none) (AOR: 0.52; CI: 0.277-0.963).Conclusions: IPV perpetration is associated with region, place of residence and behavioral attitudes. Men living in poor regions and rural areas are at risk of perpetrating IPV. This study provides evidence that sociodemographic and behavioural factors are associated with male IPV perpetration in South Africa. IPV prevention programmes must prioritise the poor regions, rural areas and behavioural factors that put men at risk for IPV perpetration. To continue to move forward in the pursuit of a deeper understanding of the factors and mechanisms that inform male perpetrated IPV, it is important to explore to the aetiology of IPV looking at characteristics of men that lead them to act aggressively towards an intimate partner