From the battlefield to the bedroom: a multilevel analysis of the links between political conflict and intimate partner violence in Liberia. Issue 2 (12th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kelly, Jocelyn T D; Colantuoni, Elizabeth; Robinson, Courtland; Decker, Michele R
• Is Part Of: BMJ global health. Volume 3:Issue 2(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-04-12
• Subjects: public health -- cross-sectional survey; World health -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000668
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-7908

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Assess the link between levels of armed conflict and postconflict intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by women in Liberia. Methods: Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project data were used to measure conflict-related fatalities in districts in Liberia during the country's civil war from 1999 to 2003. These data were linked to individual-level data from the 2007 Demographic and Health Survey, including past-year IPV. Multilevel logistic models accounting for the clustering of women within districts evaluated the relationship of conflict fatalities with postconflict past-year IPV. Additional conflict measures, including conflict events and cumulative years of conflict, were assessed. Results: After adjusting for individual-level characteristics correlated with IPV, residence in a conflict fatality-affected district was associated with a 50% increase in risk of IPV (adjusted OR (aOR): 1.55, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.92). Women living in a district that experienced 4–5 cumulative years of conflict were also more likely to experience IPV (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.75). Conclusion: Residing in a conflict-affected district even 5 years after conflict was associated with postconflict IPV. Policy implications: Recognising and preventing postconflict IPV violence is important to support long-term recovery in postconflict settings.