Factors Associated with Justification of Intimate Partner Violence among Bangladeshi Women: Evidence from BDHS Data 2017-18

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious concerning issue in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, IPV is justified by the women themselves, that leading a negative impact of our country. Though the percentage of women who justify IPV is lower prevalence in Bangladesh, the absolute number is not ignorable. So this study aimed to assess significant factors that are associated with intimate partner violence in Bangladesh.

Methods: This study was carried out using Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18 secondary data. This study was restricted to 7987 ever-married women for analyzing justification of Intimate partner violence. The association between justification of IPV with selected factors were examined by using Chi-square test, followed by multiple binary logistic regression.

Results: Among 7987 ever married women 1591(19.9%) of them have justified intimate partner violence. Chi-square result shows type of residence, respondent’s age, respondent’s occupation, wealth index, health care decision, decision for using contraception have significant association between justification of IPV. The analysis shows respondents who have primary or no education are 20% (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.07 -1.35, P=0.001) more likely to justify IPV. As well as respondents whose husbands are less educated 67% (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.47 -1.90, P=0.001) more likely to justify IPV. Muslim women 52% (OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.24 -1.84, P=0.001) more probably justify IPV. Women who do not own a mobile phone 17% more likely to support or defend IPV.

Conclusion: This study indicated that the percentage of women justify IPV is lower but the absolute number is not ignorable. It could be a significant obstacle to reduced elimination of violence from society. Behavior modification intervention should be carried out, particularly targeting the less-educated, Muslim women to enhance the understanding of IPV in Bangladesh. Having no media access also a influencing factor found in our study.

• Supervision