Prevalence and Social-Ecological Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence in a Conflict Zone-Evidence From the 2015 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey

Violence Against Women. 2022 Sep;28(11):2825-2856. doi: 10.1177/10778012211051398. Epub 2021 Dec 13.

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and social-ecological correlates of male-to-female intimate partner violence (IPV) in Afghanistan. Using data from the 2015 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey, which included 20,793 currently married women, we found that the past-year prevalence of physical IPV was highest (46%), followed by emotional (34%) and sexual forms (6%). Results also showed that the risk of IPV in general was associated with an array of community and societal-, family and relationship-, and person-level factors. Our findings point to potential intervention targets for women in this conflict zone where IPV is a highly pervasive and complex societal challenge.

Keywords: Afghanistan; domestic; partner; violence; women.

MeSH terms

  • Afghanistan / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence* / psychology
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Partners* / psychology