Research Article: Patterns, prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence and its association with mental health status during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study on early married female adolescents in Khulna district, Bangladesh
Abstract:
Objectives This study was designed to identify the patterns, prevalence and risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) against female adolescents and its association with mental health problems. Design Cross-sectional survey. Settings Dumuria Upazila (subdistrict) under the Khulna district of Bangladesh. Participants A total of 304 participants were selected purposively based on some specifications: they must be female adolescents, residents of Dumuria Upazila and married during the COVID-19 pandemic when under 18 years of age. Outcome measures By administering a semi-structured interview schedule, data were collected regarding IPV using 12 five-point Likert scale items; a higher score from the summation reflects frequent violence. Results The findings suggest that the prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional IPV among the 304 participants, who had an average age of 17.1 years (SD=1.42), was 89.5%, 87.8% and 93.7%, respectively, whereas 12.2% of the participants experienced severe physical IPV, 9.9% experienced severe sexual IPV and 10.5% experienced severe emotional IPV. Stepwise regression models identified age at marriage (p=0.001), number of miscarriages (p=0.005), education of spouse (p=0.001), income of spouse (p=0.016), age gap between spouses (p=0.008), marital adjustment (p<0.001) and subjective happiness (p<0.001) as significant risk factors. Hierarchical regression, however, indicated that age at marriage (p<0.001), age gap between spouses (p<0.001), marital adjustment (p<0.001) and subjective happiness (p<0.001) had negative associations with IPV, while the number of miscarriages (p<0.001) had a positive relationship. Pearson’s correlation showed that IPV was significantly associated with depression, anxiety and stress. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in IPV and mental health problems among early married adolescents was documented. To reduce physical and mental harm and to assure their well-being, preventive and rehabilitative measures should be devised.
Introduction:
Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to harmful behaviours, that is, physical aggression, psychological abuse and sexual coercion, inflicted by intimate partners in home settings. 1 2 It is one of the major forms of violence against women and female adolescents and is a major concern within public health globally. A recent study suggests that the global prevalence of IPV among women aged 15–49 years in marriage, cohabitation or any other form of union is 27%; this rises to 35% in South Asia and 26% for South…
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