Citation

Shaikh MA. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022; 19(6): e3519.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph19063519

PMID

35329231

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence is a global public health crisis and a human rights issue. The objectives of the study were to conduct secondary analysis of the most recent Liberia Demographic and Health Survey (2019-2020) to determine the descriptive and analytical epidemiology of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its correlates in 15-49 year old ever-married women.

METHODS: Association of physical, emotional, sexual, and having experienced any type of IPV with 10 explanatory socio-demographic, attitudinal, and experiences were analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression models.

RESULTS: 55.29% of women reported having ever experienced some form of IPV perpetrated by their current or most recent husband/partner, with the most common type being physical violence. Having been slapped, insulted, made to feel bad, and physically forced into unwanted sex were the most common types of physical, emotional, and sexual IPV. The multivariable analysis showed statistically significant association with IPV for number of living children, women's acceptance of IPV, husband/partner's use of alcohol, and having witnessed parental physical IPV.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of having experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in Liberia was much higher than the prevalence for the WHO Africa region of 33%, highlighting the need for better women empowerment and gender equality in Liberia.

Language: en

Keywords

intimate partner violence; Liberia; women