Alcohol Drinking by Husbands/Partners Is Associated with Higher Intimate Partner Violence against Women in Angola

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV), as the most prevalent form of violence against women, is a commonly encountered phenomenon across sub-Saharan African countries, including Angola. As a fast-growing economy, Angola is experiencing a booming alcohol industry and persistent IPV and women’s rights issues, along with weak prohibition and enforcement against this practice. However, so far, there is no systematic research investigating the predictors of IPV in Angola and whether spousal alcohol drinking has any relationship with women’s experience of IPV. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the predictors of IPV (defined as physical, emotional, and sexual violence) among Angolan women with a special focus on their partners’ alcohol drinking habit. Cross-sectional data on 7669 women aged 15–49 years from the Angola Demographic and Health Survey were used for this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive and logistic regression methods. Results indicated that physical IPV (32.3%, 95% Confidence Interval = 30.3 to 34.5) was most prevalent, followed by emotional (27.3%, 95% CI = 25.3 to 29.4) and sexual IPV (7.4%, 95% CI = 6.6 to 8.4). In the multivariate analysis, higher education and household wealth status showed protective effects against certain forms of IPV. Alcohol drinking by husbands/partners was associated with significantly higher odds of experiencing physical [OR = 2.950; 95% CI = 2.632, 3.306], emotional [OR = 2.470; 95% CI = 2.187,2.789], and sexual IPV [OR = 2.729; 95% CI = 2.220, 3.354] among women. Women who reported experiencing physical IPV had increased odds of drinking alcohol [OR = 1.474; 95% CI = 1.290, 1.684] compared with those who did not. These findings reflect the widespread prevalence of IPV in sub-Saharan African countries. Special focus should be given to married men with alcohol drinking habits to reduce women’s vulnerability to IPV and dependence on alcohol use.

Spatial Distribution and Determinant Factors of Intimate Partner Violence Among Reproductive age Group Women in Ethiopia; Generalized Structural Equation Modeling

“…According to current study drinker husband /partner were more likely to physically and sexually violate his wife/ partner than their counterparts. This result is in line with other studies that was conducted in Angola (36), in Uganda (34) and India (35). The possible explanation for these results alcohol uses directly disturbs mental and physical function, decreasing self-control and leaving individuals less capable of negotiating a nonviolent resolution to con icts in relationships.…”

Women’s employment status and domestic violence in Tanzania: How do they link?

“…Note also that household size, alcohol consumption and polygamous marriage were found to be triggers of domestic violence. These findings are consistent with Gautam and Jeong (2019) and Yaya and Ghose (2019) who found that alcohol consumption increases domestic violence. Regarding polygamous marriage, some authors (Gautam & Jeong, 2019; Tandrayen‐Ragoobur, 2020; Vyas & Jansen, 2018) have found that it increases domestic violence as well.…”

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Associated Factors of Gender-Based Violence against Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Education status of women and partner- In this review, researchers found that women’s low levels of education attainment were associated with a higher number of GBV experiences [ 15 , 40 , 62 , 63 ]. Similarly, other researchers found that the educational level of the woman’s partner was an important factor for women experiencing GBV [ 6 , 22 , 31 , 40 , 56 ].…”

“…Alcohol consumption - In various studies, alcohol consumption by women or their partner was found to be positively associated with GBV. Women who drank alcohol on a daily basis were more likely to experience GBV in comparison to women who did not drink alcohol [ 15 , 27 , 36 , 37 , 40 , 46 , 53 ]. Similarly, the likelihood of reporting GBV amongst women was very high when their partners consumed alcohol on a daily basis in comparison to women whose partners did not consume alcohol [ 16 , 21 , 40 , 48 , 49 ].…”