Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence in Malawi

Purpose: This study investigates the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Malawi, as well as the relationship between husbands' controlling behaviors and wives' experiences of IPV. Methods: The authors used data from the 2004 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), a nationally representative survey of 11,698 women ages 15-49 and 3,261 men ages 15-54. Experience of intimate partner violence was assessed through women's self-reports. Results: 18.5% of women experienced less severe physical violence, including being pushed, slapped, punched, kicked, strangled or burned. 1% of women experienced more severe physical violence including being threatened or attacked with a gun or knife. Multinomial regression analysis showed that wives with husbands who displayed controlling behaviors—such as not permitting them to meet female friends, limiting their contact with family, and not trusting them with money—were at increased risk of experiencing physical violence. As the number of controlling behaviors displayed by husbands increased, the severity of violence experienced by wives also increased. Wives who initiated violence were at increased risk of experiencing less severe violence, but not more severe violence. Husbands' alcohol use was positively associated with women's experience of violence. Conclusion: Women with controlling husbands and those who initiate violence are more likely to experience IPV. Implications for violence prevention include community education on sole and bi-directional violence and alcohol use in intimate relationships.