Inter-Linkages between Spousal Violence and Nutritional Status of Children: A Comparative Study of North and South Indian States

Abstract

In the context of higher rates of child malnutrition and widespread occurrence of spousal violence in India, the present study aimed to explore whether maternal experience of spousal violence have any association with nutritional status of their children using data on selected North and South Indian states from the National Family Health Survey (2005)(2006). Our findings from bi-variate and multivariate analysis established spousal violence, which indicates the position of women within family, as a significant factor determining child nutritional status in both regions. Children whose mothers had experienced any form of physical/sexual violence were significantly more likely to be underweight compared to non-abused women. Higher educational attainment among mothers significantly reduced the likelihood of under nutrition among their children. On the other hand, higher body mass index which reflects better health status of mothers also had a significant effect in reducing the chances of malnutrition among children. Thus, the study provided adequate evidences to establish the fact that health and social status of women are critical in determining nutritional status among children. Elevating women's power relative to men's is strongly recommended to reduce malnourishment among children. Integration of violence screening and counselling with MCH programmes could be helpful in addressing the specific needs of women and children and provide essential support.

The Effect of Women’s Empowerment on Intimate Partner Violence and Child Nutrition Outcomes in India, Nepal, and Pakistan

“…Thus, maternal BMI was also included as a confounding variable to represent mother’s health status. A priori confounds such as household position on the country’s wealth index, 3 number of children under the age of five years in the household, and urban or rural residence were included due to their relation to CNO, based on previous findings (Ahmed et al, 2010; Frongillo et al, 1997; Imai et al, 2014; Pongou et al, 2006; Rico et al, 2011; Shroff et al, 2009; Sinha & Chattopadhyay, 2017; Smith et al, 2003; Underwood, 2002). We also included a variable that captures whether the mother is currently working or not.…”

Physical intimate partner violence in India: how much does childhood socialisation matter?

“…In such settings, women who are victims of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse learn to accept it as the "husband's right" (Jejeebhoy, 1998;Visaria, 2000). IPV has direct and strong adverse outcomes for the physical, reproductive, and mental health of women and has far reaching consequences for their children as well (Campbell, 2002;Ellsberg et al, 2008;Silverman et al, 2009;Devries et.al., 2011;Devries et.al., 2013;Sinha & Chattopadhyay, 2016;Pines, 2017;Sinha & Chattopadhyay, 2017).…”