Citation

Brar SK, Beattie TSH, Abas MA, Vansia D, Phanga T, Maseko B, Bekker LG, Pettifor AE, Rosenberg NE. Glob. Public Health 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17441692.2020.1718732

PMID

31994453

Abstract

This analysis estimates prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with probable depression among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Lilongwe, Malawi, and whether partner's controlling behaviour modifies this relationship. Baseline data was utilised from the Girl Power-Malawi study of 1000 15-24-year-old AGYW in Lilongwe. Emotional, physical, and sexual IPV experiences with a current or recent partner were measured using the modified Conflict Tactics Scale. Probable depression was measured by scoring ≥10 on the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Short Depression Scale (CES-D-10). Generalised linear models with log-link and binomial distribution estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between IPV types and probable depression. Partner's controlling behaviour was examined as an effect modifier. Participants' mean age was 19.2 years, with 70% never-married. IPV prevalence varied for emotional (59%), physical (36%), sexual (46%), and all forms (20%). Prevalence of probable depression was 47%. AGYW who experienced each IPV type had a higher prevalence of probable depression: physical (PR:1.54, CI:1.28-1.86), sexual (1.46, CI:1.21-1.75), emotional (1.37, CI:1.14-1.64), all forms (1.72, CI:1.41-2.09). IPV and probable depression were prevalent and strongly associated, especially among AGYW reporting controlling behaviour. Interventions addressing IPV and controlling behaviour may positively impact depression among AGYW.

Language: en

Keywords

Intimate partner violence; Malawi; adolescent girls; depression; young women