Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and its association with intimate partner violence among women in informal settings of Kampala, Uganda
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PLOS Global Public Health
Abstract
Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) detected, and COVID-19 associated mortality
increased since the first case was confirmed in Uganda. While adherence to WHO-recommended
measures to disrupt COVID-19 transmission has since been implemented, it
has been reported to be sub-optimal. An increase in intimate partner violence (IPV) cases
was linked to enforcement of COVID-19 lockdowns and other preventive measures especially
in informal settings of Kampala. We determined the association between adherence to
COVID-19 preventive measures and intimate partner violence among women dwelling in
informal settings in Kampala, Uganda. Between July and October 2020, we conducted a
three-month prospective cohort study of 148 women living in informal settlements of Kampala
during the COVID-19 lockdown and easing of restrictive measures. Participants were
surveyed at baseline, at 3-weeks and 6-weeks (endline). The dependent variable was
adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures (remained adherent vs poorly adherent)
between baseline and endline surveys. This composite outcome variable was computed
from implementing all four variables: social distancing, wearing face masks, frequent hand
washing and use of hand sanitizers at baseline and endline surveys. The key independent
variable was IPV measured as experiencing at least one form of physical, emotional, or sexual
IPV. Covariates were age, education, marital status, household size, occupation, and
having problems getting food. Adjusted logistic regression analyses tested the independent
association between adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and intimate partner
violence. Among 148 respondents, the mean age (SD) was 32.9 (9.3) years, 58.1% were
exposed to at least one form of IPV, and 78.2% had problems getting food. Overall, 10.1%
were poorly adherent to COVID-19 preventive measures during the first COVID-19 wave.
After controlling for potential confounders, remaining adherent to COVID-19 preventive
measures were more likely to experience intimate partner violence when compared to women who were poorly adherent to COVID-19 preventive measures during the first
COVID-19 wave in Uganda [OR 3.87 95%CI (1.09, 13.79)]. Proportions of women in informal
settlements of Kampala experiencing at least one form of IPV during the first COVID-19
wave is substantial. Remaining adherent to preventive measures for COVID-19 transmission
may increase IPV exposure risk among women living in informal settlements in Kampala.
Contextualizing COVID-19 interventions to the needs of marginalized and vulnerable
women and girls in informal settings of Kampala is warranted. Processes to integrated violence
prevention and response strategies into the Uganda COVID-19 prevention strategy
are underscored.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19 preventive measures, Intimate partner violence, Uganda
Citation
Anguzu R, Kabagenyi A, Cassidy LD, Kasasa S, Shour AR, Musoke BN, et al. (2022) Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and its association with intimate partner violence among women in informal settings of Kampala, Uganda. PLOS Glob Public Health 2(4): e0000177. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000177