Victimization and Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence among Female and Male Youth and Adults in South Africa

Abstract

Objective: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a huge public health problem. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and influence of sociodemographic and health characteristics on IPV victimization and perpetration among women and men 15 years and older in South Africa. Materials and Methods:Data based on the South African national population-based survey in 2012 for 15916 (8532 women and 7384 men) aged 15 years and older who were in an intimate partner relationship were analysed. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess the association between sociodemographic factors, health variables and IPV victimization and perpetration.Results: Among women, 8.5% had experienced any form of IPV in the past 12 months, and 3.5% of the women had engaged in IPV perpetration in the past 12 months. Among men, 5.0% had experienced any form of IPV in past 12 months, and 4.4% of the men had engaged in IPV perpetration in the past 12 months. In multivariable logistic regression analysis among women, younger age, being African Black, having psychological distress, having been a victim of violent crime and having had multiple sexual partners were associated with IPV victimization in the past 12 months, while younger age, psychological distress, hazardous or harmful alcohol use, and having had multiple sexual partners was associated with IPV perpetration in the past 12 months. In multivariable logistic regression analysis among men, younger age, psychological distress, hazardous or harmful alcohol use, and having been a victim of violence crime was associated with IPV victimization in the past 12 months, while younger age, poor health status, psychological distress, hazardous or harmful alcohol use, and illicit drug use was associated with IPV perpetration in the past 12 months. Conclusion:Past 12-month prevalence of IPV victimization and perpetration among women and men was significant. IPV gender commonalities and differences in risk factors, such as psychological distress, substance use, crime victimization and sexual risk behaviour, may inform strategies of violence prevention programmes.

Prevalence and associated factors of antenatal depression in rural Bangladesh

“…These two groups of women are more likely to be the victims of intimate partner violence (27). This study found intimate partner violence as a significant contributing factor to antenatal depression which is similar to the study conducted by Peltzer et al in Thailand and Insan et al in Bangladesh (12, 28).…”

HIV status, knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of persons with and without disability in South Africa: evidence from a national population-based survey

“…"In the past 12 months, a partner has forced me to have sex against my wishes by using violence or threatening violence." (Response options were "yes" and "no") [7,9]. A positive response to any of the five questions was classified as intimate partner violence, and a positive response to the second question as sexual violence victimization.…”

Re-Positioning Social Work in the Agenda to Deal With Violence Against Women and South Africa’s Triple Challenges

“…There are multiple factors that contribute to VAW. A growing body of evidence shows that risk factors for VAW are multiple, including socio-demographic factors such as low education, child abuse experiences, alcohol abuse, attitudes accepting VAW and gender inequality (Djakanovic, Jansen & Otasevic, 2010:728;Peltzer, Phaswana-Mafuya & Pengpid, 2017;World Health Organization (WHO), 2016). Therefore it is imperative to understand and explore the risk factors that contribute to the widespread occurrence of VAW, since they have an impact on the progress of the legislative frameworks and programmes that aim to promote the quality of life of women.…”

“…These multifaceted factors make the problem complex and difficult to combat. Several studies confirm that the risk factors for VAW include poverty, unemployment, income inequality, patriarchal notions of masculinity that valorise toughness, risktaking and defence of honour, exposure to child abuse in childhood, weak parenting, access to firearms, alcohol abuse and weakness in the mechanisms of law enforcement (Gass et al, 2011;Heise & Kotsadam, 2015;Peltzer et al, 2017:2; WHO, 2016:1).…”