Socioeconomic and geographic correlates of intimate partner violence in Sri Lanka: Analysis of the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue and violation of human rights. The prevalence of IPV in South Asia is especially pronounced. This is the first study in Sri Lanka to examine the associations between socioeconomic position (SEP), geographical factors and IPV using nationally representative data. Data collected from the Sri Lanka 2016 Demographic and Health Survey were analysed using multilevel logistic regression techniques. A total 16,390 eligible ever-partnered women aged 15-49 years were included in the analysis. Analyses were also stratified by ethnicity, type of violence, neighbourhood poverty and post-conflict residential status for selected variables. Consistent associations were found for low SEP and IPV. Lower educational attainment among women (OR 2.46 95% CI 1.83-3.30) and their partners (OR 2.87 95% CI 2.06-4.00), financial insecurity (OR 2.17 95% CI 1.92-2.45) and poor household wealth (OR 2.64 95% CI 2.22-3.13) were the socioeconomic factors that showed the strongest association with any IPV, after adjusting for age and religion. These associations predominately related to physical and/or sexual violence, with weak associations for psychological violence. Women living in a post-conflict environment had a higher risk (OR 2.96 95% CI 2.51-3.49) of IPV compared to other areas. Ethnic minority women (Tamil and Moor) were more likely to reside in post-conflict areas and experience poverty more acutely compared to the majority Sinhala women, which may explain the stronger associations for low SEP, post-conflict residence and IPV found among Tamil and Moor women. We found IPV is more likely to occur in the context of socioeconomic disadvantage and post-conflict regions. Further exploratory studies investigating the complex interplay of individual, household and community-level factors occurring in this context is required.

Socioeconomic and Geographic Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence in Sri Lanka: Analysis of the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey

“…A detailed explanation of variables is provided in our pre-registered analysis plan (Bandara et al, 2020). In brief, demographic factors, including respondent age, marital status, religion and ethnicity were examined.…”

Does Proximity to Conflict Zones Moderate Associations Between Girl Child Marriage, Intimate Partner Violence, and Contraception in Postconflict Sri Lanka?

“…The authors of the review suggested that researchers of IPV and contraceptive methods consider separately methods that are modern versus traditional and methods that do or do not require ongoing negotiations between a woman and her male partner [13]. Researchers have identified local lifetime IPV prevalence rates in Sri Lanka of around 30-40% in various single-setting studies across the country [14][15][16][17] and have found IPV to be more likely in Sri Lanka in the context of socioeconomic disadvantage [18]. While women's primary contraceptive method type may be influenced by inequitable and/or violent experiences in their relationships, communitylevel violence can also have an impact on contraception.…”

“…During the war, families in the conflict zones practiced child marriage in order to remove their children from eligibility to be recruited by militant factions which were compelling youth to fight [37], and this practice may have persisted in the postconflict era [38]. IPV has also been found to be higher in the conflict zones many years after the end of the war [18,39]. The enduring impact of the civil war on health systems, child marriage, and IPV in Sri Lanka suggests that the relationships between primary contraceptive method type, girl child marriage, and IPV may be moderated by individuals' proximity to conflict.…”