Socio-Demographic Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence in Pakistan: The Role of Alcohol Consumption

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health issue that is more evident in societies that are dominated by Patriarchal cultures. Some Males' alcohol may lead them to develop aggressive behaviors, and this may lead to domestic violence. The present work aims to examine the association between alcohol use and IPV in ever-married women of Pakistan. Cross-sectional data from PDHS 2017-18 was used with a sample of 171 ever-married women whose husbands consumed alcohol to determine socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with IPV. Data reveals that 61.4% of women reported experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), with increased frequency among those in lower socioeconomic strata. Research indicated that women from lower-income households were more susceptible to violence, with those in the lowest wealth groups demonstrating markedly higher prevalence rates. The multivariate logistic regression analysis yielded adjusted odds ratios (AOR) that indicated significant findings. Women with the lowest levels of wealth were 4.93 times more likely to experience intimate partner violence compared to those with higher levels of wealth (AOR = 4.93; 95% CI: 1.13-21.47). The likelihood of intimate partner violence (IPV) was also elevated for women from families classified as middle-income (AOR = 3.63; 95% CI: 1.02-12.91) and affluent (AOR = 4.46; 95% CI: 1.12-17.71). Moreover, residing in urban areas was associated with an increased likelihood of intimate partner violence (AOR = 3.14; 95% CI: 1.42-6.93), underscoring the socio-environmental complexities of violence. Based on these findings, it is imperative to call for effective prevention and intervention programs that focus on alcohol use and IPV in Pakistan, especially amongst low-income women.