Association between violence against women and intimate partner characteristics: a population-based study conducted in Vitória, Espírito Santo

Abstract

Objective:  to analyze the association between violence against women and the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of their intimate partners. Method:  cross-sectional study conducted with 1,086 women aged 18 years or older who had an intimate partner in the past 24 months. The World Health Organization instrument on violence against women, validated for use in Brazil, was used to classify psychological, physical and sexual violence. The intimate partners’ sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics were collected. The results were presented as Prevalence Ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals. Results:  women whose partners were ≥41 years old had a 19% lower prevalence of psychological and physical violence. Higher prevalence of such abuse was found among women whose partners were black and who consumed alcohol. Psychological violence was 25%, 17%, and 30% higher, respectively, among those whose partners did not have a paid job, smoked or were former smokers. Physical violence was 73% more frequent among participants whose partners belonged to the first tertile of the per capita family income. Psychological, physical or sexual victimization was higher among those who felt fear of their partners (PR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.24-1.64; PR: 2.52; 95% CI: 2.02-3.13; PR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.48-2.63) and with controlling partners (PR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.29-1.70; PR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.04-1.62; PR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.09-1.86). Conclusion:  sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of partners increase women’s vulnerability to violence.