Prevalence of and factors associated with disclosure of experience of intimate partner violence among women in high migration communities in six southern African countries
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Date
2021
Authors
Dim, Munachimso Vincentia
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Abstract
Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a prevalent problem with devastating health
consequences for women worldwide, yet many still fail to disclose their experience. Few
studies address disclosure of experience of IPV among women in high migration communities.
Thus, this study examines the prevalence of, and factors associated with disclosure of
experience of intimate partner violence among women aged 15-49 years in high migration
communities in six southern African countries.
Methods: The study used data from the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights-HIV Knows
No Border Project's baseline survey. The baseline survey was conducted between May 2018 to
June 2019. Data analysis was conducted using statistical software for data management and
analysis (STATA) version 15. The prevalence of IPV and the disclosure of experience of IPV
along with the factors associated with disclosure of experience of IPV were determined using
descriptive statistics, univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis at a 5% level of
significance. A total of 1644 women were sampled for the analysis on the prevalence of
experience of IPV while 514 women were used for the analysis on the prevalence of disclosure
of experience of IPV.
Results: Approximately one-third (514; 31%) of the women had experienced IPV in the past
12 months preceding the survey. Less than half (42%) of the women who were abused by their
intimate partner disclosed their experience. Most women sought help from informal sources,
especially their own families (52%). The odds of disclosure of experience of IPV were
significantly higher among women that; experienced severe forms of violence (Adjusted Odds
Ratio (AOR)) =2.46, 95% CI: 1.47; 4.13); sustained injuries due to IPV (AOR=2.92, 95% CI:
1.74; 4.88); witnessed inter-parental violence (AOR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.35; 0.92); had a partner
with controlling behaviour(s) (AOR=3.05, 95% CI: 1.10, 8.48) and being in an older age group
(AOR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.23).
Conclusion: Despite the high prevalence of IPV, majority of the women were silent about their
experience of abuse. The factors associated with disclosure of experience of IPV were the age
of the women, the severity of violence, history of inter-parental violence, controlling behaviour
ii
of their partner and having sustained injury as a result of IPV. Thus, strategies must be put in
place to encourage disclosure, particularly to formal sources and to eliminate violence against
women in society in all its forms. Future research should explore why women are not disclosing
their experiences of IPV, specifically in high migration communities.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Epidemiology (Biostatistics) to the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021