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Justification of physical intimate partner violence among men in sub-Saharan Africa: a multinational analysis of demographic and health survey data

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Abstract

Aims

This study sought to assess factors associated with the justification of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among men in sub-Saharan Africa using data from 27 countries.

Methods

The study used data from the male file of the most current Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) conducted in 27 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Men aged 15–64 years were included (N = 170,361). Binary logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between the independent variables and justifying at least one form of physical IPV.

Results

Overall, 33% of men in this sample reported that at least one form of physical IPV was justified, ranging from a high of 67% in Guinea to a low of 12% in Malawi. Results showed that justification of physical violence varied by country. The odds of justifying IPV for at least one of the five situations ranged from 0.42 (OR = 0.42, CI = 0.36–0.51) in Malawi to 4.86 (OR = 4.86, CI = 4.45–5.32) in Guinea compared with men in Burkina Faso. Education (no education [OR = 2.80, CI = 2.53–3.10]), wealth status (poorest [OR = 1.58, CI = 1.46–1.72]), place of residence (rural residence [OR = 1.13, CI = 1.06–1.21]), marital status (married men [OR = 0.88, CI = 0.83–0.92], separated men [(OR = 1.16, CI = 1.04–1.30]), occupation (employed men [OR = 1.23, (CI = 1.17–1.30]) and age (men aged 55–64 [OR = 0.78, CI = 0.74–0.82]) predicted justification of physical IPV among men in sub-Saharan Africa.

Conclusion

This study finds that men’s justification of IPV against women in sub-Saharan Africa is substantial, although not universal across countries in the sub-region. Policies and interventions should be geared toward breaking the societal norms that affirm women’s vulnerability in the society. Advocacy to stop physical intimate violence against women should be strengthened by NGOs, civil groups and government agencies.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Measure DHS for providing us with the data upon which the findings of this study were based.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

    Eugene Kofuor Maafo Darteh & Kwamena Sekyi Dickson

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Sarah D. Rominski & Cheryl A. Moyer

  3. Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Cheryl A. Moyer

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  1. Eugene Kofuor Maafo Darteh
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  2. Kwamena Sekyi Dickson
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  3. Sarah D. Rominski
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  4. Cheryl A. Moyer
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Correspondence to Eugene Kofuor Maafo Darteh.

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Darteh, E.K.M., Dickson, K.S., Rominski, S.D. et al. Justification of physical intimate partner violence among men in sub-Saharan Africa: a multinational analysis of demographic and health survey data. J Public Health (Berl.) 29, 1433–1441 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-020-01260-9

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