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

Abstract

Although urban areas are diverse and urban inequities are well documented, surveys commonly differentiate intimate partner violence (IPV) rates only by urban versus rural residence. This study compared rates of current IPV victimization among women and men by urban residence (informal and formal settlements). Data from the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, consisting of an ever-married sample of 1,613 women (age 15–49 years) and 1,321 men (age 15–54 years), were analyzed. Multilevel logistic regression was applied to female and male data separately to quantify the associations between residence and any current IPV while controlling for regional variation and other factors. Results show gendered patterns of intra-urban variation in IPV occurrence, with the greatest burden of IPV identified among women in informal settlements (across all types of violence). Unadjusted analyses suggest residing in informal settlements is associated with any current IPV against women, but not men, compared with their counterparts in formal urban settlements. This correlation is not statistically significant when adjusting for women’s education level in multivariate analysis. In addition, reporting father beat mother, use of current physical violence against partner, partner’s alcohol use, and marital status are associated with any current IPV against women and men. IPV gets marginal attention in urban violence and urban health research, and our results highlight the importance of spatially disaggregate IPV data—beyond the rural-urban divide—to inform policy and programming. Future research may utilize intersectional and syndemic approaches to investigate the complexity of IPV and clustering with other forms of violence and other health issues in different urban settings, especially among marginalized residents in informal urban settings.

Factors that Affect the Sleep of Women in Informal Settlements in Kenya

“…Women in informal settlements face several political, economic, social, environmental, and climatic factors that may contribute to stress and, in turn, impact sleep quality. Studies have shown that rates of interpersonal violence and common mental health issues are much higher for women in informal settlements in Kenya than in other populations in the nation (28, [40][41][42]. Research also suggests that women in informal settlements have the worst health outcomes of any population in Kenya (43).…”

Safeguarding in practice: anticipating, minimising and mitigating risk in teenage pregnancy research in urban informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya

“…It highlights an important safeguarding threat to a study on vulnerable girls or women–the ongoing risk of violence. This is critical in communities, such as urban informal settlements, with high rates of violence occurring among 38% of women 5. Sadly, the risk of violence for women and girls in these communities is high whether in the study or not, but study processes may exacerbate risk.…”

“…This is critical in communities, such as urban informal settlements, with high rates of violence occurring among 38% of women. 5 Sadly, the risk of violence for women and girls in these communities is high whether in the study or not, but study processes may exacerbate risk. An emerging question is: ‘ Who chooses if a participant should be unenrolled from a study if it emerges that she may be at risk of violence–the researchers or the participants?…”

“…This work describes how intersections between poverty and power and existing high rates of structural violence in urban informal settlements shape safeguarding considerations, such as intimate partner violence (IPV). 5 Safeguarding risks also need constant re-evaluation and these guidelines were further adapted in response to COVID-19. 6 Safeguarding is a new and emerging field not fully addressed by research ethics, which focuses on protecting research participants during data collection.…”

“…We recognise that vulnerability is unequal and is shaped by multiple intersecting power relations and axes of inequity. This work describes how intersections between poverty and power and existing high rates of structural violence in urban informal settlements shape safeguarding considerations, such as intimate partner violence (IPV) 5. Safeguarding risks also need constant re-evaluation and these guidelines were further adapted in response to COVID-19 6…”