Intimate Partners Violence against Women during a COVID-19 Lockdown Period: Results of an Online Survey in 7 Provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Polygyny and intimate partner violence among married women: Sub-national estimates from a cross-sectional study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global issue with several social and health consequences. Global estimates indicate that one-third of women have experienced lifetime IPV. In 2013, sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest rates of IPV. Furthermore, previous research showed that polygyny is positively associated with IPV. This study examined associations between polygyny and IPV in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with a special attention to geographical variations. The paper used a subsample of 3,749 married women from 2013-2014 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in the DRC. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to test statistical significance between polygyny and IPV and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Findings showed spatial variations for polygyny and the three types of IPV. Overall, 19.0% of married women were in polygynous unions. This percentage ranged from 5.7% in North Kivu to 29.4% in Kasai occidental. In the last 12 months, 28.6%, 27.8%, and 19.6% of married women reported physical, emotional, and sexual violence, respectively, while 43.2% reported any form of IPV. IPV rates ranged from 18.1% in Kongo central to 58.3% in Kasai occidental. Net of controls, women in polygynous unions living Bandundu [AOR = 2.16, 95%CI = 1.38-3.38], Katanga [AOR = 1.78, 95%CI = 1.09-2.89], North Kivu [AOR = 6.22, 95%CI = 1.67-23.22], and South Kivu [AOR = 2.79, 95%CI = 1.03-7.54] had higher rates of IPV than their counterparts in monogamous unions. Spatial analyses showed that Kasai Occidental had the highest rates of IPV. Overall, being in polygynous increased significantly the odds of IPV. Programmatically, policymakers and stakeholders need to devise more effective policies and IPV interventions targeting polygynous families in DRC to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 5.2, that aimed to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030.

Non-consensual Sex Among Japanese Women in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Large-Scale Nationwide Survey-Based Study

Introduction and background Non-consensual sex, including rape and sexual assault, has been a global concern and may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, information on this topic is limited. Therefore, our objective was to survey the incidence rate of non-consensual sex among Japanese women aged 15-79 years between April and September 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Materials and methods We utilized data from a sample of approximately 2.2 million individuals who participated in a web-based self-reported questionnaire survey from a nationwide, cross-sectional internet survey conducted in Japan between August and September 2020. Sampling weights were applied to calculate national estimates, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with non-consensual sex. Data were extracted from a web-based, self-administered survey of approximately 2.2 million individuals. Results The study examined the incidence of non-consensual sex among 12,809 women with valid responses, finding an overall rate of 1.1% across all participants. Higher rates were observed among women aged 20-29 (2.4%) and employed women (1.5%) compared to unemployed women (0.7%). No significant difference was noted based on living areas. Increased FCV-19S scores, worsening or improving mental health before COVID-19, suicidal thoughts, and feelings of isolation were all linked to higher incidence rates. Non-payment of salary and lack of money for necessities also correlated with higher rates. Key risk factors included age 15-19 or 20-29, employment, financial instability, suicidal thoughts, and isolation. Notably, 20% of women aged 15-19 reported suicidal ideation. Conclusions This study underscores the critical need for mental and financial support for young women, highlighting the importance of early intervention for economically vulnerable groups. Comprehensive education on sexual consent is essential, especially during societal upheavals like the COVID-19 pandemic, to prevent non-consensual sex and support affected individuals.

Prevalence and Factor Influencing Intimate Partner Violence against Women during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

It seems that the prevalence of intimate partner violence increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. To investigate the prevalence of different types of IPV and its contributing factors on a global scale during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis study. This study followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. All original studies, written in English that reported the overall prevalence of IPV or at least one type of IPV against women during the COVID-19 pandemic were included in this study. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched in July 2023. Our general keywords included "Intimate Partner Violence", "Spouse Abuse", "Domestic Violence", "COVID-19", and "SARS-CoV-2". We used the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist to assess the quality of all included studies. We conducted a random effect model for meta-analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel method in comprehensive meta-analysis software Version 3. Each type of IPV is calculated as an event rate with a 95% CI for each variable. The I2 statistic test was used to assess the Heterogeneity.

Results

Forty-one studies encompassing 14,615 participants met our eligibility criteria and were included in our study. The overall prevalence of IPV was 31% (95% CI: [24.2, 38.8], P < 0.001). Based on type, the highest rate of IPV in the included studies was reported for psychological type (33%, 95% CI: [23.4, 44.3], P = 0.004). The rates of IPV for economic, physical, and sexual types were 19.1% (95% CI: [12.2, 28.6], P < 0.001), 9.5% (95% CI: [6.8, 13.1], P < 0.001), and 8.5% (95% CI: [6.2, 11.7], P < 0.001), respectively. Age, education level, being pregnant, and marital duration were among the most frequent influencing factors.

Conclusion

About one-third of women experienced IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological IPV emerged as the most prevalent type in the included studies. The most important factors were environmental, social, economic, cultural, and political factors. Age, education level, marital duration, being pregnant, and marital duration were among the most frequent influencing factors.

Global prevalence of intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic among women: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

During the coronavirus pandemic, people faced strict preventive measures, including staying at home and maintaining social distance, which led to increasing rates of intimate partner violence. Women have been facing dual health emergencies, including COVID-19 and domestic violence. Despite this, there is a lack of representative data on intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic and inconsistent findings.

METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used to develop the systematic review and meta-analysis. All English-language studies conducted between 31 December 2019 and May 15/2022 were extracted from databases such as PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. The quality of the articles was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI). The I2 was used to assess heterogeneity among studies. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot inspection and Egger's test. A random effect model was used for the analysis using RevMan and STATA 14 software.

RESULT

A total of 5065 studies were retrieved, and 14 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of intimate partner violence was 31% (95% CI: 22, 40). Subgroup analysis based on region showed that the highest prevalence of intimate partner violence was in developing regions (33, 95% CI: 23.0, 43.0) compared to developed regions (14, 95% CI: 11.0, 17.0). Subgroup analysis based on country showed that Uganda had the highest prevalence of IPV 68% (95% CI: 62.0, 72.0), and the lowest was in the USA 10% (95% CI: 7.0, 15.0).

CONCLUSION

Nearly one in three women experienced intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subgroup analysis based on region showed that the highest prevalence of intimate partner violence was in developing regions (33%). All forms of intimate partner violence (physical, sexual, emotional, and economic) were prevalent. Thus, available interventions should be implemented to alleviate women's intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic and similar emerging and remerging pandemics, particularly in developing countries.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022334613 .

A scoping review of the impacts of COVID-19 physical distancing measures on vulnerable population groups

Most governments have enacted physical or social distancing measures to control COVID-19 transmission. Yet little is known about the socio-economic trade-offs of these measures, especially for vulnerable populations, who are exposed to increased risks and are susceptible to adverse health outcomes. To examine the impacts of physical distancing measures on the most vulnerable in society, this scoping review screened 39,816 records and synthesised results from 265 studies worldwide documenting the negative impacts of physical distancing on older people, children/students, low-income populations, migrant workers, people in prison, people with disabilities, sex workers, victims of domestic violence, refugees, ethnic minorities, and people from sexual and gender minorities. We show that prolonged loneliness, mental distress, unemployment, income loss, food insecurity, widened inequality and disruption of access to social support and health services were unintended consequences of physical distancing that impacted these vulnerable groups and highlight that physical distancing measures exacerbated the vulnerabilities of different vulnerable populations.

The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic and Social Determinants of Health on the Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence. A Systematic Review

Background

The pandemic has increased the rates of violent behavior towards women by their partners worldwide. Increased time spent living with the abusive partner, working at home and limited social contact combined with socioeconomic characteristics contributed to the increase in this type of violence.

Objective

To investigate the impact of pandemic COVID-19 and social determinants of health (SDOH) on the intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by women from their partners.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to investigate the impact of COVID-19 and social determinants of health on violence experienced by women from their partner(s) as a consequence of incarceration. The Pubmed and Scopus databases were searched during December 2022, using the keywords "intimate partner violence", "women", "COVID-19", "socioeconomic factors", "social determinants of health".

Results

Of the 917 studies initially retrieved, 38 studies found an increased prevalence of women's reported violence by their partners, 10 found a low prevalence, and 9 found no difference in prevalence before and during restraint. The most common forms of violence were psychological, physical and sexual. In 30 studies, social determinants such as socioeconomic level, education and living conditions were found to be associated with the prevalence of violence.

Conclusion

There was an increase in violence against women during quarantine which was associated with the effect of social determinants. However, due to research limitations of the studies, additional research is needed to draw firm conclusions that can be generalized to the population.

Sexual Health During COVID-19: A Scoping Review

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted profoundly on the wellbeing and social interactions of the world population, and all dimensions of sexual health were potentially affected by globally implemented preventive measures.

OBJECTIVES

The scoping review aimed to compile existing research investigating possible effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on adult sexual health, that is, sexual behavior, functioning, and satisfaction. Further, studies on the interplay between mental health and sexual well-being during the pandemic were reviewed.

METHODS

The review was conducted in accordance with guidelines established by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist. On October 11-12, 2021, PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, Cinahl, Cochrane, Sociological Abstracts and Scopus were systematically searched for relevant peer-reviewed papers employing quantitative methodology. Additionally, unpublished ("grey") research studies on the subject were retrieved. The screening, data extraction, and analysis of evidence were conducted by 4 independent reviewers using an iterative approach.

RESULTS

Based on 107 studies included, the scoping review showed that the pandemic had had a wide impact on all dimensions of sexual health. Except for solo sex activities, mainly negative COVID-19 implications were identified, although findings were, in sum, characterized by complexity and unpredictability. Thus, sexual behavior, functioning, and satisfaction during the pandemic appeared to be mitigated by a broad range of sociodemographic and contextual factors. Finally, sexual health seemed deeply entwined with overall mental health.

CONCLUSION

The scoping review revealed a broad range of COVID-19-related effects on sexual health, including an overall decline in partnered sex and a concurrent increase in solo sex activities. It also emphasized a need for future research to shed light on possible long-term consequences of the pandemic in various population groups and on all aspects of sexual health. Toldam NE, Graugaard C, Meyer R, et al. Sexual Health During COVID-19: A Scoping Review. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:714-753.

Perinatal intimate partner violence during COVID-19 and its associated factors among postpartum mothers attending newborn immunization in southern Ethiopia, 2021: A cross-sectional study

Objective

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of perinatal intimate partner violence during COVID-19 and its associated factors among postpartum mothers attending newborn immunization in southern Ethiopia, 2021.

Method

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 657 postpartum mothers from 1 to 30 March 2021 in southern Ethiopia. All postpartum mothers who visited the selected hospitals or health centers for newborn immunization and met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. Data were cleaned, coded, entered into Epidata manager version 4.2 and then exported into SPSS version 26 for analysis. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used.

Results

The prevalence of perinatal intimate partner violence was 62.4%. In this study, income loss due to COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio: 12.00, 95% confidence interval: 5.60, 25.71, p < 0.001) was the strongest factor associated with perinatal intimate partner violence. Young age women (adjusted odds ratio: 5.82, 95% confidence interval: 2.72, 12.46, p < 0.001), partner alcohol use (adjusted odds ratio: 2.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.37, 3.56, p = 0.001), partner substance use (adjusted odds ratio: 2.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.12, 3.83, p = 0.021), and partner relationships (cohabited) (adjusted odds ratio: 1.88, 95% confidence interval: 1.06, 3.34, p = 0.032) were also strongly associated with perinatal intimate partner violence.

Conclusion

The prevalence of perinatal intimate partner violence was relatively high. The health of the women should be maintained through empowerment of women and provision of health education in order to minimize prevalence of perinatal intimate partner violence associated with low income, young age, substance use, and cohabited marital status. Future qualitative studies are required to identify the underlying multifactorial reasons for intimate partner violence.

Domestic violence: A cross-sectional study among pregnant and postpartum women

AIM

To assess the prevalence of domestic violence/intimate partner violence, aggressors, types of violence and associated factors in women who attend an antenatal and postnatal care service in a public hospital in Brazil.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

We interviewed women attending antenatal and postpartum care services in a Brazilian public tertiary woman's hospital in Campinas, São Paulo, between July 2019 and September 2021. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires previously used in healthcare settings: Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS); Woman Abuse Screening Tool (WAST); Hurt, Insulted, Threatened with Harm and Screamed (HITS). We evaluated the relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics of women and domestic/intimate violence using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 600 pregnant and postpartum women interviewed, 138 (23%) had suffered any abuse. Some participants disclosed physical violence during pregnancy (2.3%) and during the last 12 months (5.3%). The partner was identified as the main aggressor in most of the cases (60%). When women had a partner, 3.5% reported domestic violence and 6.7% disclosed intimate partner violence during pregnancy or postpartum period. Women with non-white skin colour (OR = 1.53; 95% CI 1.01-2.34; p = .048), gestational age ≤ 13 weeks (OR = 3.41; 95% CI 1.03-11.25; p = .044) and in postpartum period (OR = 2.81; 95% CI 1.32-5.99; p = .008) were more likely to experience domestic violence at some time in their lives. Women interviewed before the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to disclose that they had suffered any abuse.

CONCLUSION

Experience of violence during pregnancy and postpartum period was more frequent in women with non-white skin colour, in their first gestational trimester and in the postpartum period, and was more reported before the COVID-19 pandemic. Antenatal and postpartum care services could be safe places to support violence survivors.

IMPACT

Pregnant and postpartum women are a vulnerable group to experiencing domestic violence/intimate partner violence. Violence can negatively affect women's and children's health and well-being. Antenatal and postpartum care should be considered as a moment to routinely inquiry women about past and current violence experiences. Regular contact among healthcare professionals and women during this period offers a window of opportunities for implementing psychosocial interventions among women at risk of violence. Healthcare providers (i.e., physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses and midwives) have an important role in identifying survivors, offering support and providing quality information to women.