Submission ID 118386
| Issue/Objective | Researchers and practitioners have investigated the nexus between nutrition and gender-based violence (GBV) by focusing on the intergenerational consequences of maternal intimate partner violence (IPV) on child nutrition indicators. However, there is a scarcity of research and programs focused on how IPV might negatively affect the dietary patterns among women of reproductive age. Even less research is conducted in low-and-middle income countries. This research provides the first population-based estimates of the relationship between IPV and women's diet using recent nationally representative data from eight low-and-middle income countries. |
|---|---|
| Methodology/Approach | We conducted secondary data analysis of cross-sectional Demographic and Health Surveys from Cambodia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Tajikistan, Cote D'Ivoire, Kenya, and the Philippines. Using generalized linear models, we estimated the total relationship between women's reported past year IPV (physical, emotional, sexual) and global measures of women's diet (number of food groups consumed and minimum dietary diversity) as well as intake of micro-nutrient (Vitamin A, Iron) rich foods, computing national and pooled estimates. |
| Results | Our results reveal several distinct relationship patterns. The strongest pooled result showed that past year sexual IPV increased the odds of not consuming iron rich food sources by a factor of 3.57 (95%CI: 3.33-16.67). In contrast, IPV was associated with decreased intake of Vitamin A rich foods in Nigeria, the Philippines, and Tajikistan, but not in other countries. Additionally, IPV was associated with intake of fewer food groups and lower dietary diversity in Kenya, Nigeria, and the Philippines. However, in Tajikistan, where population-levels of obesity are higher, physical IPV was associated with intake of more food groups. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | IPV is associated with less healthy dietary intake patterns among women of reproductive age. Local food environments and food access are important contextual factors that may contribute to variations in findings. Potential underlying mechanisms include (i) mental and physical health sequelae of IPV that impact diet, including depression, post-traumatic stress, and physical trauma, in addition to (ii) abuse-related impaired resource access. This research generates an evidence-base for integrating IPV prevention and response within the nutrition sector, to improve iron-deficiency and undernutrition among women of reproductive age. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Luissa Vahedi SickKids Centre for Global Child Health; University of Toronto; Washington University in St. Louis Manuela Orjuela-Grimm Columbia University Pamela Chan Washington University in St. Louis Sarah Meyer WHO |
