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National Estimates and Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Uganda Disaggregated by Age and Gender

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Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, research regarding young people's intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences is scarce. We provide national estimates of the prevalence, characteristics, and correlates of IPV among adolescents (aged 13–19; n = 1,182) and young adults (aged 20–24; n = 1,648) living in Uganda. We analyzed the Uganda Violence Against Children Survey data. Descriptive statistics were conducted using age-and-gender stratified samples. We also examined logistic regression models using age-stratified samples and testing gender as a potential moderator. Descriptive results indicated higher lifetime physical IPV rates among young adults (24.7%) compared to adolescents (12.3%). We found no significant difference comparing adolescents' (16.9%) and young adults' (14.6%) lifetime sexual IPV rates. There were notable age group and gender differences when examining specific sexual IPV types and first physical and sexual IPV episode characteristics. Significant IPV correlates across both age groups included being widowed, divorced, or separated (adolescents: aOR = 4.6, 95% CI: 1.6–13.5; young adults: aOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 2.5–10.8), being female (adolescents: aOR = 3.9, 95% CI: 2.2–6.8; young adults: aOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 2.1–4.4), witnessing parental IPV (adolescents: aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.0; young adults: aOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2–2.6), and poorer mental health levels (adolescents: aOR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.04–1.1; young adults: aOR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1–1.1). Gender moderated the relationship between age and IPV, but only among adolescents (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI:1.1–1.9). IPV programs that are developmentally tailored for Ugandan young people are needed. These programs should promote gender equality and consider gender intersectionality. Policy changes around child maltreatment and early marriage must simultaneously occur for program success.

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Notes

  1. The Pearson χ2 statistic was corrected for the complex survey design with the second-order correction of Rao and Scott (1984) and converted into an F statistic.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Chrissy Hart (Senior Advisor, Together for Girls, c/o UNAIDS) for informing us of the steps needed to acquire the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, Arizona State University, University Center 411 N Central Ave #800, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA

    Ijeoma Nwabuzor Ogbonnaya & Lauren A. Reed

  2. Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Makerere University School of Social Sciences, Kampala, Uganda

    Eddy J. Walakira

  3. Department of Population Studies, School of Statistics and Planning, College of Business and Management Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

    Stephen Ojiambo Wandera

  4. Head National Child Well-Being Implementation Unit, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Kampala, Uganda

    Lydia Najjemba Wasula

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  1. Ijeoma Nwabuzor Ogbonnaya
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Correspondence to Ijeoma Nwabuzor Ogbonnaya.

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The first, second, third, and fourth authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript. The fifth author receives a salary from the Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the organization that led the implementation of the Uganda VACS with support from partners.

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Ogbonnaya, I.N., Reed, L.A., Walakira, E.J. et al. National Estimates and Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Uganda Disaggregated by Age and Gender. J Fam Viol 37, 1405–1418 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-021-00334-w

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