Factors associated with attitudes towards intimate partner violence against women: a comparative analysis of 17 sub-Saharan countries
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Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC international health and human rights
Abstract
Violence against women, especially by intimate partners, is a serious public health
problem that is associated with physical, reproductive and mental health consequences. Even
though most societies proscribe violence against women, the reality is that violations against
women's rights are often sanctioned under the garb of cultural practices and norms, or through
misinterpretation of religious tenets.
Methods: We utilised data from 17 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between
2003 and 2007 in sub-Saharan Africa to assess the net effects of socio-demographic factors on
men's and women's attitudes toward intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) using
multiple logistic regression models estimated by likelihood ratio test.
Results: IPVAW was widely accepted under certain circumstances by men and women in all the
countries studied. Women were more likely to justify IPVAW than men. "Neglecting the children"
was the most common reason agreed to by both women and men for justifying IPVAW followed
by "going out without informing husband" and "arguing back with the husband". Increasing wealth
status, education attainment, urbanization, access to media, and joint decision making were
associated with decreased odds of justifying IPVAW in most countries.
Conclusion: In most Sub-Saharan African countries studied where IPVAW is widely accepted as
a response to women's transgressing gender norms, men find less justification for the practice than
do women. The present study suggests that proactive efforts are needed to change these norms,
such as promotion of higher education and socio-demographic development. The magnitude and
direction of factors associated with attitudes towards IPVAW varies widely across the countries,
thus suggesting the significance of capitalizing on need-adapted interventions tailored to fit
conditions in each country.
Description
Keywords
Attitudes, Intimate partner violence, Women, Sub-Saharan countries
Citation
Uthman, O. A., Lawoko, S., & Moradi, T. (2009). Factors associated with attitudes towards intimate partner violence against women: a comparative analysis of 17 sub-Saharan countries. BMC international health and human rights, 9(1), 1-15. doi:10.1186/1472-698X-9-14