Experiences and Perpetration of Recent Intimate Partner Violence Among Women and Men Living in an Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya: A Secondary Data Analysis

Abstract

Evidence suggests an overlap between intimate partner violence (IPV) experience and perpetration. However, few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have investigated experience and perpetration of IPV among women and men within the same community. This study reports prevalence of past-year IPV experience and perpetration among women and men living in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, and factors associated with IPV. Data analyzed for this study involved a geographically distributed random sample of 273 women and 429 men who participated in a community survey. We approximated prevalence of IPV experience and perpetration and used logistic regression for estimating associations between individual-level factors and IPV. Women and men experienced similar levels of IPV, but a significantly higher proportion of men reported physical and sexual IPV perpetration. Witnessing violence between parents in childhood was associated with women’s physical and sexual, and men’s sexual IPV experience; and with women perpetrating emotional, and men perpetrating sexual IPV. Less equitable gender attitudes were associated with men’s perpetration of physical IPV. More equitable gender knowledge was associated with women’s experience of sexual IPV, and with men perpetrating IPV. Perceived skills to challenge gender inequitable practices were negatively associated with men perpetrating sexual IPV. In conclusion, we found IPV experience and perpetration were highly correlated, and that, contrary to commonly reported gender gaps, men and women experienced similar rates of IPV. We make suggestions for future research, including on IPV prevention interventions in areas with such IPV prevalence that would be beneficial for women and men and future generations.

Examining gender and sexual orientation differences in physical intimate partner violence experienced and perpetrated by youth living in eThekwini district South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Our results do align with prior research among Kenyan adults [52] and youth in Tanzania [44] showing higher but similar levels of recent and lifetime IPV experiences and perpetration among women and men. High levels of both experiencing and perpetrating violence among men and women in heterosexual relationships has been previously reported among adults in Kenya, with a 2022 study showing that 23% of women and 18% of men experienced physical violence in their relationship in the 12 months prior to being interviewed [52]. The same study showed that IPV perpetration was higher among those also reporting experiencing IPV among both women and men [52].…”

Cycles of Violence Among Young Women in Namibia: Exploring the Links Between Childhood Violence and Adult Intimate Partner Violence From the Violence Against Children and Youth Survey

“…Finally, the same conditions that predispose individuals to violence in childhood could also lead to violence revictimization in adolescence and adulthood (e.g., witnessing violence, low social support, living with the perpetrator, economic, or food insecurity) (Carlson et al, 2020). Specifically, prior analyses have found higher social support to be a buffer against both childhood and intimate partner violence experiences while witnessing violence may be a marker of high rates of community violence and general acceptability of violent behavior (Machisa et al, 2018; Ringwald et al, 2020). We accounted for this by included family support and witnessing childhood violence as potential confounders of the relationship between childhood and IPV as other.…”

Intra-Urban Variation of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and Men in Kenya: Evidence from the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey

“…IPV gets marginal attention in global urban reports which tend to focus on insecurity, crime, and violence more broadly. However, IPV studies conducted among women ( Ringwald et al, 2020 ; Orindi et al, 2020 ; Swart, 2012 ) and men ( Ringwald et al, 2020 ) in informal settlements in Nairobi reported rates of IPV above KDHS urban prevalence estimates. Contrary to widely reported gender gaps, IPV studies in informal settlements in Nairobi and Dar-es-salaam found comparable rates among women and men ( Ringwald et al, 2020 ; Mulawa et al, 2018 ).…”

“…However, IPV studies conducted among women ( Ringwald et al, 2020 ; Orindi et al, 2020 ; Swart, 2012 ) and men ( Ringwald et al, 2020 ) in informal settlements in Nairobi reported rates of IPV above KDHS urban prevalence estimates. Contrary to widely reported gender gaps, IPV studies in informal settlements in Nairobi and Dar-es-salaam found comparable rates among women and men ( Ringwald et al, 2020 ; Mulawa et al, 2018 ). The impact of IPV in informal settlements may be particularly grave due to the economic burden of IPV-related harm on survivors, families, and communities ( National Gender and Equality Commission, 2016 ).…”