Attitudes about gender roles and intimate partner violence (IPV) among a sample of haitian men and women

Background

Globally, violence against women is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among women; it is a greater cause of death among women and girls than traffic accidents and malaria combined. Many studies have shown that intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender inequity in relationships are associated with increased prevalence of HIV in women. We assessed attitudes towards gender roles and prevalence of IPV in a sample of women and men in Haiti.

Methods

Gender power equity and IPV were measured using the WHO Women's Health questionnaire. Men and women aged 18≥ were asked 8 questions related to attitudes towards gender roles. Four questions were only asked to women regarding experiences with psychological, physical and sexual violence in their intimate relationships. Questions were recoded and added to get a composite score. Tests for differences in proportions and means were conducted.

Results

The sample included 5,607 (35.1%) males and 10,362 (64.8%) females. The mean (SD) age for all participants was 32.12 (11.34). The mean composite score for the sample was 25.7(2.52) indicating strict traditional views about gender roles; statistically significant differences between males and females as well as among different age groups were found (P < 0.0001). Women reported high prevalence of various forms of IPV.

Conclusion

Overall, men and women held strict traditional views about gender roles even though the sample included nearly twice as many females as males. Results indicate the need for multi-level structural interventions to affect changes in attitudes about gender roles and IPV in Haiti.