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Ali Mansourian

Ali Mansourian

Professor

Ali Mansourian

Women's exposure to intimate partner violence and its association with child stunting : findings from a population-based study in rural Rwanda

Author

  • Jean Nepo Utumatwishima
  • Ingrid Mogren
  • Kristina Elfving
  • Aline Umubyeyi
  • A Mansourian
  • Gunilla Krantz

Summary, in English

BACKGROUND: Child stunting is a significant challenge for most districts in Rwanda and much of sub-Saharan Africa and persists despite multisectoral efforts. There is a notable lack of population-based studies examining the correlation between violence against women and child stunting in Rwanda.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the association between Rwandan women's exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and child stunting in children under 3 years of age.

METHODS: In December 2021, a population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Northern Province of Rwanda, including 601 women and their children <3 years of age. The World Health Organization (WHO) Women's Health and Life Experiences Questionnaire for IPV research was utilized. Child stunting was assessed using the WHO criteria for low height for age. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between IPV and child stunting before and during pregnancy.

RESULTS: Of 601 women, 47.4% ( n = 285) experienced any form of IPV during pregnancy. The prevalence rates of the types of IPV associated with child stunting varied: 33% for psychological, 31.4% for sexual, and 25.7% for physical violence. Exposure to physical violence before pregnancy and sexual violence during pregnancy was associated with higher odds of child stunting; the adjusted odds ratios were 1.29 (95% CI, 1.01-2.03) and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.04-2.01), respectively.

CONCLUSION: Women's exposure to physical and psychological violence is associated with an increased risk of child stunting. Urgent targeted interventions and support systems are needed to address the complex relationship between women's exposure to IPV and adverse effects on child growth.

Department/s

  • LU Profile Area: Nature-based future solutions
  • BECC: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate
  • Centre for Geographical Information Systems (GIS Centre)
  • Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science

Publishing year

2024-10-16

Language

English

Publication/Series

Global Health Action

Volume

17

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Co-Action Publishing

Topic

  • Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology

Keywords

  • Child stunting
  • intimate
  • partner violence
  • women
  • Rwanda
  • child growth

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1654-9716