Intimate partner violence and associated factors among reproductive age women during COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Ethiopia, 2020

Abstract

Background World health organization (WHO) defines intimate partner violence (IPV) is physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by an intimate partner or ex-partner or spouse to a woman. From all forms of violence, ~ 1.3 million people worldwide die each year, accounting for 2.5% of global mortality. During the COVID-19 crisis, control and prevention measures have brought women and potential perpetrators together which increase the risk of IPV. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of IPV against women during COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Methods Community based cross-section study was employed among 462 reproductive-age women to assess IPV and associated factors during COVID-19 pandemic. To select study participants one-stage cluster sampling technique was used. The data were entered into Epi data version 4.2 and exported to SPSS for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to check the association of dependent and independent variables and statistical significance was declared at P < 0.05. Result A total of 448 study subjects were responded making a response rate of 96.97%. Two- third (67.6%) of the respondent's age range was between 20 and 29 years. All of the participants heard about the pandemic of COVID-19 at the time of onset. The lifetime and the last twelve months prevalence of women with IPV was 42.19% and 24.11%, respectively. About 58 (12.9%) had experienced all three types of violence. Participants age ≥ 35 (AOR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.99–4.29), rural residence (AOR = 3.04; 95% CI: 2.59–6.25), husband’s educational status of diploma and above (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.14–0.83), COVID-19 pandemic (AOR = 4.79; 95% CI: 1.13–6.86), and low social support (AOR = 3.23; 95% CI: 1.99–6.23) were independent predictors. Conclusions In this study two in five women undergo one type of violence in their lifetime. The occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic has its impact on violence. Age ≥ 35, rural residence, husband’s educational status of diploma and above, history of child death, COVID-19 pandemic, and low social support were independent predictors of violence. This implies insight to concerned bodies like policymakers and stakeholders to design appropriate policies to avert this magnitude and making zero tolerance for violence in society.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Against Women

“…Thirteen articles were critically read, analyzed, and chosen for data obtainment (Figure 1 and Table 1). 9,13,15,17–26 The studies included were conducted in Spain (n = 1), United States (n = 2), Nigeria (n = 1), Ethiopia (n = 3), Turkey (n = 1), Peru (n = 1), Bangladesh (n = 1), Czech Republic (n = 1), Democratic Republic of Congo (n = 1), and Kenya (n = 1). Approximately 50 percent of the articles (n = 6) were cross-sectional studies, descriptive ecological study (n = 1), case report (n = 1), comparative study (n = 1), surveys (n = 2), double list randomization experiment (n = 1), or mixed-methods prospective cohort study (n = 1) (Table 1).…”

“…In Southern Ethiopia, the lifetime and past 12 months prevalence of women with IPV were 42.19 percent and 24.11 percent, respectively. 23 From this report, 18.2 percent, 36 percent, and 29 percent reported physical, emotional, and sexual violence, with 58 percent experiencing all three types of violence (emotional, sexual, and physical). This report agreed with a study in Northern Ethiopia.…”

“…All three studies were roughly in agreement with their findings. Besides the impact of COVID-19 restrictive measures, other independent risk factors reported by the authors include being illiterate, having an illiterate husband, having a substance-abusing husband, and having a community tolerant to IPV 24 ; age greater than or equal to 35 years, rural residence, husband's educational level, and low social support 23 ; and being a housewife, age less than 30, arranged marriage, and husband's age between 31-40 years old. 26…”

“…9,15,[17][18][19][21][22][23][24]26,27 Despite the evidence for increased IPV portrayed by the increased call to public safety, calls to IPV helplines, and institutions established for survivors, some authors stipulated an increased possibility of underreporting, especially in lowincome countries and in cultures where IPV is commonly accepted. 9,15,18,19,21,23,24,26 Authors who considered the possibility of underreporting of IPV during the pandemic stipulated the reasons may be due to aggressive and controlling behavior of their perpetrators, low privacy due to staying in lockdown with the aggressor, decreased social support, fear of contracting COVID-19, and inaccessibility to a care facility. 9,15,18,19,21,23,24,26 Despite fewer emergency room visits amid COVID-19, women exposed to IPV experienced severe injuries compared to previous years, as the severe radiological injuries show.…”

“…9,15,18,19,21,23,24,26 Authors who considered the possibility of underreporting of IPV during the pandemic stipulated the reasons may be due to aggressive and controlling behavior of their perpetrators, low privacy due to staying in lockdown with the aggressor, decreased social support, fear of contracting COVID-19, and inaccessibility to a care facility. 9,15,18,19,21,23,24,26 Despite fewer emergency room visits amid COVID-19, women exposed to IPV experienced severe injuries compared to previous years, as the severe radiological injuries show. 13 Although most studies except two 9,22 showed that physical and verbal IPV against women increased amid the pandemic, several authors found that sexual abuse was significantly prevalent.…”