Autonomy, intimate partner violence, and maternal health-seeking behavior: Findings from mixed-methods analysis in Kenya

Background: Socio demographic characteristics are key factors in the health seeking by men experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). A recent study in Kenya showed that 9% of men experience spousal violence with no reports showing their health seeking behavior. This study assessed the socio-demographic determinants on health seeking by men experiencing IPV in Kisumu municipality informal settlements.Methods: From a target population of 81,882 adult males, 438 adult males aged 18 to 54 years were included in the study from Kisumu municipality informal settlements. Questionnaires were administered to the study participants. Frequency tables expressed as counts and corresponding percentages; chi square test and multiple regression analysis were used in the study.Results: With 398 responding to the survey, there was 90.8% response rate. Findings showed that 72.4% of the respondents have experienced IPV, out of whom only 19.8% sought health services. Results of socio-demographic characteristics showed that married wage-earning men of ages 18-35 years with secondary and above level of education sought health services when experiencing IPV.Conclusions: The study established that health seeking in men when experiencing IPV is low despite the fact that it could be life-threatening. Interventions are thus required that would help address men’s cases when faced with any form of violence.

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Intimate partner violence against women on the Colombia Ecuador border: a mixed-methods analysis of the liminal migrant experience

Conflict and Health ◽

10.1186/s13031-021-00351-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Colleen Keating ◽

Sarah Treves-Kagan ◽

Ana Maria Buller

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

International Development ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Psychological Consequences ◽

Colombian Women ◽

Restricted Mobility

Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) has serious long-term health and psychological consequences and is highly prevalent in Latin America and among displaced populations. Liminality - the ambiguous in-between state of individuals completing a migratory journey - represents a state of legal, economic, and physical insecurity. Through the framework of liminality, this analysis seeks to understand the unique challenges faced by displaced Colombian women in Ecuador including their experience of IPV. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of 15 in-depth interviews and 319 longitudinal surveys, conducted on the border of Ecuador and Colombia, following a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. We analysed interviews thematically and mapped the main themes onto complementary quantitative variables. We conducted logistic regression with identified risk and protective factors (measured at time 1) and recent IPV (measured at time 2), controlling for demographic characteristics and IPV at time 1. Results Our mixed-methods analysis revealed four main mechanisms by which displacement influenced the social and economic realities of Colombian women years after crossing the border, compounding their risk of IPV and limiting their ability to escape it. Lack of legal residence and documentation, violence experienced along life course and migratory continuums which increased their risk for later revictimisation, social isolation including loss of support networks and restricted mobility and lastly, financial stress. Conclusions This research highlights the critical importance of supporting the economic and social integration of migrants and refugees in host communities, as well as the need to carefully consider migration-related vulnerabilities in IPV prevention and response interventions. As the regional refugee crisis grows, policy makers must consider how the long-term marginalisation of refugee women contributes to their victimisation. This research also supports the idea of incorporating gender synchronised, transformative IPV prevention and response programmes into migration-related and poverty alleviation international development efforts.

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