Periodic Reporting for period 3 - IPV_Tanzania (Investigating the predictors of intimate partner violence: A mixed method longitudinal study in Tanzania)
Período documentado: 2020-09-01 hasta 2021-07-31
This study investigates the change in prevalence and risk and protective factors of intimate partner violence, a prominent public health and human rights issue.
Worldwide, it is estimated that one in three women experience physical and/or sexual violence by a partner in their lifetime, with even higher rates reported in sub-Saharan Africa and that at least one in three murdered women have been murdered by their partner (WHO 2013). Cross-sectional surveys have documented the adverse health impacts of IPV and the factors that increase risk of female victimisation and male perpetration. Nonetheless, theoretical and programmatic development has stalled due to lack of clarity on the temporality of identified associations: do documented associations represent risk factors for intimate partner violence or do they reflect the consequences of abuse? This deficit of understanding is especially pressing in low- and middle-income countries where few longitudinal cohort studies with IPV as an outcome exist.
This study seeks to address this gap by following forward in time a cohort of 1200 Tanzanian women, using state of the art methods to measure their experiences of intimate partner violence, encourage disclosure and ensure participant safety. Both quantitative and qualitative data is currently collected at 4 discrete time points over 5 years, making this the largest longitudinal study of intimate partner violence ever undertaken in the developing world. In addition, a cross-sectional survey of young men will be conducted to explore their experiences of violence and associated risk and protective factors with intimate partner violence. This study is informed by 30 qualitative in-depth interviews and 16 photovoice interviews of Tanzanian men.
The goal of the research is to advance our understanding of the predictors and consequences of intimate partner violence to better inform the design of interventions to reduce intimate partner violence in low-and middle-income countries.
The main objectives are therefore to: 1) map the dynamics of partner violence over time; 2) advance the theoretical frameworks of intimate partner violence; 3) investigate the temporality of key factors linked to IPV; 4) and investigate pathways leading to intimate partner violence.
This research is of immediate necessity to address a vital public health challenge of our time and has the strong potential to have a long-lasting impact on shaping the research agenda on intimate partner violence.
Worldwide, it is estimated that one in three women experience physical and/or sexual violence by a partner in their lifetime, with even higher rates reported in sub-Saharan Africa and that at least one in three murdered women have been murdered by their partner (WHO 2013). Cross-sectional surveys have documented the adverse health impacts of IPV and the factors that increase risk of female victimisation and male perpetration. Nonetheless, theoretical and programmatic development has stalled due to lack of clarity on the temporality of identified associations: do documented associations represent risk factors for intimate partner violence or do they reflect the consequences of abuse? This deficit of understanding is especially pressing in low- and middle-income countries where few longitudinal cohort studies with IPV as an outcome exist.
This study seeks to address this gap by following forward in time a cohort of 1200 Tanzanian women, using state of the art methods to measure their experiences of intimate partner violence, encourage disclosure and ensure participant safety. Both quantitative and qualitative data is currently collected at 4 discrete time points over 5 years, making this the largest longitudinal study of intimate partner violence ever undertaken in the developing world. In addition, a cross-sectional survey of young men will be conducted to explore their experiences of violence and associated risk and protective factors with intimate partner violence. This study is informed by 30 qualitative in-depth interviews and 16 photovoice interviews of Tanzanian men.
The goal of the research is to advance our understanding of the predictors and consequences of intimate partner violence to better inform the design of interventions to reduce intimate partner violence in low-and middle-income countries.
The main objectives are therefore to: 1) map the dynamics of partner violence over time; 2) advance the theoretical frameworks of intimate partner violence; 3) investigate the temporality of key factors linked to IPV; 4) and investigate pathways leading to intimate partner violence.
This research is of immediate necessity to address a vital public health challenge of our time and has the strong potential to have a long-lasting impact on shaping the research agenda on intimate partner violence.
The study set out to achieve knowledge on the dynamics of intimate partner violence over time and its risk and protective factors in Mwanza, Tanzania through: a) a longitudinal quantitative survey of women, b) an in-depth qualitative longitudinal follow up of women, c) a cross-sectional quantitative survey of men and d) an in-depth qualitative study of men, including a participatory photovoice exercise.
The study has completed the following activities for each component:
a) Out of the planned 1200 women who participated in the baseline and follow-up interviews in the control group of two randomized control trial (600 women in micro-finance loan groups and 600 women not participating in a micro-finance loan group, 866 women have already been interviewed a third time and 420 women were interviewed for a fourth time. Interviews for women in the microfinance group are now completed and the data is currently cleaned for analysis.
b) Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 women about their experiences of changes of intimate partner violence in their relationship. Based on the preliminary analysis of the question guide for the next round was developed. Ongoing analyses are looking at a) how romantic jealousy and unfaithfulness lead to intimate partner violence, b) how women conceptualize sexual intimate partner violence and what the pathways to it are c) women’s coping strategies with intimate partner violence and d) economic violence.
c) Plans for the male quantitative survey, including study protocol and questionnaire have been finalized and ethical approval has been received. The study is ready to start once fieldwork is allowed to resume due to COVID-19.
d) In-depth interviews with 30 men have been completed about their experiences of and perpetration of violence from and against other men and their intimate partners. Of the 30 men, 16 have further participated in a participatory photovoice exercise. Ongoing analyses include a focus on how men perceive controlling behaviours and the link between jealousy and unfaithfulness. A paper is currently drafted on the photo voice methodology for this study. Dr Kayombo, the research fellow on this grant presented an analysis of risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence at the SVRI 2019.
The project has also reached the full-text screening stage for a systematic review on theories for risk factors for intimate partner violence. A systematic review has been published on risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence emerging from longitudinal studies and preliminary findings from the theory review, on economic empowerment and intimate partner violence have been presented at SVRI 2019, by the PI.
The study has completed the following activities for each component:
a) Out of the planned 1200 women who participated in the baseline and follow-up interviews in the control group of two randomized control trial (600 women in micro-finance loan groups and 600 women not participating in a micro-finance loan group, 866 women have already been interviewed a third time and 420 women were interviewed for a fourth time. Interviews for women in the microfinance group are now completed and the data is currently cleaned for analysis.
b) Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 women about their experiences of changes of intimate partner violence in their relationship. Based on the preliminary analysis of the question guide for the next round was developed. Ongoing analyses are looking at a) how romantic jealousy and unfaithfulness lead to intimate partner violence, b) how women conceptualize sexual intimate partner violence and what the pathways to it are c) women’s coping strategies with intimate partner violence and d) economic violence.
c) Plans for the male quantitative survey, including study protocol and questionnaire have been finalized and ethical approval has been received. The study is ready to start once fieldwork is allowed to resume due to COVID-19.
d) In-depth interviews with 30 men have been completed about their experiences of and perpetration of violence from and against other men and their intimate partners. Of the 30 men, 16 have further participated in a participatory photovoice exercise. Ongoing analyses include a focus on how men perceive controlling behaviours and the link between jealousy and unfaithfulness. A paper is currently drafted on the photo voice methodology for this study. Dr Kayombo, the research fellow on this grant presented an analysis of risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence at the SVRI 2019.
The project has also reached the full-text screening stage for a systematic review on theories for risk factors for intimate partner violence. A systematic review has been published on risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence emerging from longitudinal studies and preliminary findings from the theory review, on economic empowerment and intimate partner violence have been presented at SVRI 2019, by the PI.
This project is currently in the middle of data collection and well within its projected timeline.
There are three main achievements and developments we want to mention at this point:
• The PI has successfully obtained additional funding to organise an expert meeting to draft ethical recommendations for conducting research on violence against women that will be published by the World Health Organisation.
• Additional funding has been acquired by the PI to conduct an second wave of data collection for the cross-sectional study of men proposed in the Plan of Action
• Staff at MITU and LSHTM are conducting analyses on the female and male qualitative data beyond the analysis in the Plan of Action and investigate women‘s coping behaviours with intimate partner violence and women‘s and men‘s perceptions of sexual violence, emotional and economic violence and controlling behaviour.
• The project has developed a highly successful capacity building strategy through informal writing and analysis workshops of local and LSHTM junior staff run by the PI. Furthermore, we have trained joined junior highly motivated fieldwork staff to successfully conduct, code and analyse qualitative interviews.
There are three main achievements and developments we want to mention at this point:
• The PI has successfully obtained additional funding to organise an expert meeting to draft ethical recommendations for conducting research on violence against women that will be published by the World Health Organisation.
• Additional funding has been acquired by the PI to conduct an second wave of data collection for the cross-sectional study of men proposed in the Plan of Action
• Staff at MITU and LSHTM are conducting analyses on the female and male qualitative data beyond the analysis in the Plan of Action and investigate women‘s coping behaviours with intimate partner violence and women‘s and men‘s perceptions of sexual violence, emotional and economic violence and controlling behaviour.
• The project has developed a highly successful capacity building strategy through informal writing and analysis workshops of local and LSHTM junior staff run by the PI. Furthermore, we have trained joined junior highly motivated fieldwork staff to successfully conduct, code and analyse qualitative interviews.