O18.5 Comparison of Intimate Partner Violence prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the I-SHARE cross-sectional multi-country study

ABSTRACT

BackgroundShelter-in-place and related COVID-19 physical distancing measures may influence the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). The current study aims to (1) describe perceived changes in IPV experienced during and prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, (2) identify social correlates of IPV.MethodsThe International Sexual Health and REproductive Health (I-SHARE) study collected data on sexual and reproductive health during the COVID-19 pandemic (10,717 respondents in 16 countries between July 26thand December 1st 2020). The sample comprises participants in 7 HICs, 5 UMICs, 2 LMICs, and 2 LICs 6,643 (62.3%) participants identified as women, 3,650 (34.2%) as men, and 178 (1.7%) as another gender. The median age was 30 (IQR 24;39). Adults (≥18yrs) were recruited online (social media, panel, or population-representative). IPV was a primary outcome measured using an adapted six-item version of the WHO IPV scale. Mixed effects modelling was used to assess participants’ experience of IPV in the three months prior to, and during, the COVID-19 physical distancing measures;participants were also asked about informal and formal reporting of IPV.ResultsPreliminary analysis indicated that 1,864 (17.4%) of the 10,717 participants reported experiencing at least one form of IPV before the introduction of COVID-19 control measures;1,346 (12.6%) participants reported IPV during COVID-19 physical distancing measures. Among participants experiencing IPV when physical distancing measures were in place, 691 (37.1%) told either a friend, the police, social services or other organization. Participants with a reduction in household income during the COVID-19 measures (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.29–1.69) and increased consumption of alcohol during COVID-19 (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.26–1.81) had higher odds of experiencing IPV.ConclusionIPV may have decreased during COVID-19 measures, but remained common overall. Structural interventions are necessary to mitigate the impact of IPV.