https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8753-7561
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ABSTRACT
Background
Although alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, few studies have been conducted among young males in low- and middle-income countries. Alcohol consumption and IPV are both complex phenomena, whose association requires more in-depth exploration regarding drinking patterns and the alcohol-related manifestation of five different forms of IPV.
Objective
In this study, we sought to explore the relationship between alcohol use and IPV in young Tanzanian men and to identify differences in the magnitude of past-year IPV perpetration among alcohol drinkers and abstainers. Furthermore, we aimed to assess the association between various drinking patterns with the perpetration of different forms of IPV.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey of 1002 young males residing in Mwanza, Tanzania, was conducted in 2021–2022. Data on alcohol consumption were collected using the alcohol use disorder identification test. IPV perpetration was assessed using an index total of 19 items on acts of physical, sexual, economic, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviour. Logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the relationship between alcohol use and the perpetration of each form of IPV.
Results
Among partnered respondents currently consuming alcohol (n = 189, 18.8%), the most and the least prevalent IPV forms in the past 12 months were controlling behaviour (84.1%) and physical IPV (25.4%), respectively. Those reporting recent alcohol consumption reported higher rates of all forms of past-year IPV perpetration compared to abstainers. While no form of IPV was associated with low-risk consumption versus abstention, all forms of IPV were associated with hazardous drinking.
Conclusion
Young men who drink alcohol, especially those drinking hazardously, are also more likely to report perpetrating IPV. An understanding of the different drinking patterns and manifestations of forms of IPV can contribute to better-tailored alcohol-related interventions and has the potential to improve young adults’ health and reduce IPV perpetration.
Responsible Editor Jennifer Stewart Williams
Responsible Editor Jennifer Stewart Williams
Acknowledgments
We want to thank all participants in this study for their time and effort.
Author contributions
H.S., G.M., S.K., P.A., N.M., and S.K. designed the study, G.M., D.M., and S.S. carried out the study, with support from H.S., N.M., P.A., and S.K., O.S. planned and carried out the analysis and wrote the first draft with support from H.S. All authors contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the findings and the final manuscript.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Ethics and consent
The procedures were approved by the ethics committee of the Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich LMU (Nr. 21-0508), the National Institute for Medical Research, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The study was conducted in close adherence to the ‘Ethical and safety recommendations for research on the perpetration of sexual violence’ and complied to the Directive 95/46/EC (or the GDPR as of 25 May 2018).
Paper context
There is strong evidence for a connection between IPV and alcohol consumption. This study in Tanzania fills a gap in knowledge by exploring this association with different forms of IPV perpetuated by young men as well as the dose effect of alcohol. Interventions to address alcohol usage therefore need to take IPV into account and alcohol use needs to be addressed in IPV interventions.