Perception of Beninese on intimate partner violence: evidence from 2011-2012 Benin demographic health survey

Abstract

BackgroundViolence against women remains an important issue of inequality in African societies, with several consequences to health, social and economic status. This study aims to identify the factors related to the perception of intimate partner violence in Benin.MethodsData on intimate partner violence was collected by conducting live interviews, and from the Benin Demographic and Health Survey 2012. The dependent variable was acceptance of intimate partner violence. The independent variables were socio-demographic features such as age, level of education, matrimonial status, ethnicity, religion, place of residence and the index of economic well-being. Logistic regressions were performed and odds ratios (OR) with a confidence interval of 95% (CI95%) were estimated.ResultsAmong the 21,574 people who answered the questions relating to violence against women by an intimate partner, the prevalence of acceptance of intimate partner violence was 15.77%. Ethnicity, level of education, administrative department of residence, religion, and socio-economic quintile were factors associated with the respondents’ acceptance of violence against women by an intimate partner.ConclusionAcceptance of intimate partner violence could be a major obstacle to the success of some health programs. There is a need to break the norms that support the vulnerability of women in Beninese society.

Factors associated with women's approval on intimate partner violence in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional analysis of latest demographic and health survey 2017–18

“…Prevalence of approving IPV among Bangladeshi women was found lower than several South-Asian countries such as Afghanistan (90%), Bhutan (65%) and Nepal (47%) [ 14 ]. This prevalence was lower than that of Ghana (39%) [ 17 ] and higher than that of Benin (15.7%) from the African region [ 24 ]. According to the 2014 BDHS report, about 30% of Bangladeshi women approved at least one reason for IPV [ 25 ], which indicates a significant reduction in approval of IPV among the Bangladeshi women during 2014–18.…”

Exploring antenatal care utilization and intimate partner violence in Benin - are lives at stake?

“…Similarly, this variable was not a significant predictor of utilization of ANC. A 2018 study in Benin looked at the perception of Beninese on IPV revealing one in six people considered that it was justified for a partner or husband to beat his wife/partner [14], reinforcing the important consideration of social norms when attempting to create policies and programs.…”

“…The republic of Benin is located in West Sub-Saharan Africa and reports a maternal mortality ratio of 400 per 100,000 live births [11]. Benin ranks in the bottom third of countries recently assessed for ANC coverage and in 2009, the Ministry of family and National Solidarity reported 69% of Beninese women suffered abuse at least once in their lifetime [9,[12][13][14]. More recently, in 2019, the UN Women's Global Database on Violence against Women reported a 24% prevalence of lifetime physical and/or sexual IPV in Benin, with no report of emotional of psychological IPV [15].…”

“…The number of children was divided into one child (reference group), two to four children and five or more children. Finally, attitude toward wife beating was included as an exploratory variable based on empirical evidence in Benin [14]. The five questions regarding 'beating being justified if the wife goes out without telling husband, wife neglects the children, wife argues with husband, wife refuses to have sex with husband, wife burns food [18] were recoded 1 if the answer was "yes" to any of the questions.…”

A qualitative assessment of a gender-sensitive agricultural training program in Benin: Findings on program experience and women’s empowerment across key agricultural value chains

“…Women in Africa South of the Sahara face higher levels of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault than women anywhere else in the world (Garcia-Moreno et al 2013). In Benin, there are relatively high levels of acceptance of IPV, approximately 15.7% of the population according to the 2011-2012 Demographic and Health Surveys (Kpozehouen et al 2018), suggesting that the prevalence of such violence is much more widespread than reported (McCloskey et al 2016). In 2012, the GoB passed a national law (Act No.…”