Intimate partner violence among adolescents and young women: prevalence and associated factors in nine countries: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundLittle is known about the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its associated factors among adolescents and younger women.MethodsThis study analyzed data from nine countries of the WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence against Women, a population based survey conducted in ten countries between 2000 and 2004.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of IPV ranged from 19 to 66 percent among women aged 15 to 24, with most sites reporting prevalence above 50 percent. Factors significantly associated with IPV across most sites included witnessing violence against the mother, partner’s heavy drinking and involvement in fights, women’s experience of unwanted first sex, frequent quarrels and partner’s controlling behavior. Adolescent and young women face a substantially higher risk of experiencing IPV than older women.ConclusionAdolescence and early adulthood is an important period in laying the foundation for healthy and stable relationships, and women’s health and well-being overall. Ensuring that adolescents and young women enjoy relationships free of violence is an important investment in their future.

A global comprehensive review of economic interventions to prevent intimate partner violence and HIV risk behaviours

“…There is stronger evidence about the impact of poverty on women’s experiences of IPV. While it is certainly clear that IPV is a global phenomenon experienced by women in high-income as well as low-income countries [2], studies consistently show that women’s recent experience of IPV is strongly associated with their experiences of poverty [16–18]. …”

The macro-level drivers of intimate partner violence: New evidence from a multilevel dataset

“…This paper provides additional evidence on the macro-level drivers of IPV using cross-national survey data. Secondly, this paper contributes to a small but growing literature on IPV in developing countries (see Stoeckl et al 2014;Devries et al 2010). Lastly, this study examines a set of macro-level drivers that have not been analysed before.…”

“…This abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional, as well as any combination of the three. Even though comparable cross-country data on IPV is relatively scarce, the data that does exist indicates shocking prevalence rates (Stoeckl et al 2014;). A recent review of 185 population-based studies in 86 countries estimates lifetime prevalence of sexual and physical IPV to lie at around 30% (Garcia-Moreno et al 2013).…”

“…A recent review of 185 population-based studies in 86 countries estimates lifetime prevalence of sexual and physical IPV to lie at around 30% (Garcia-Moreno et al 2013). Similarly, evidence from the WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence against Women, which was conducted in 10 countries, indicates a lifetime physical and sexual IPV prevalence rate of 13% to 61% (Stoeckl et al 2014).…”

“…The vast majority of quantitative studies that analyse the drivers of IPV have focused exclusively on individual-level risk factors (see for example, Abramsky et al 2011;Stoeckl et al 2014). However, whether or not a woman will experience IPV is not solely determined by her own characteristics, the characteristics of her partner, or their relationship (i.e.…”