Examining the relationship between contraceptive use and intimate partner violence among currently married women in Nigeria and Bangladesh: Random-effect modeling

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been associated with unplanned pregnancy, subsequent abortion and sexually transmitted diseases. Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) conducted recently reported that about 55.8% and 15.4% married women of reproductive age respectively in Bangladesh and Nigeria are currently using a contraceptive method for delaying pregnancy. DHS also reported that about 25.6% and 15.4% married women of reproductive age respectively in Bangladesh and Nigeria experienced spousal violence or IPV in past 12 months. It's not well understood the relationship between contraceptive use and IPV. Objective: This research examines the relationship between contraceptive use and IPV experienced by currently married women of reproductive age in past 12 months. Data and methodology: This research uses 2008 Nigeria DHS and 2007 Bangladesh DHS data collected nationally. Several weighted unadjusted and adjusted random effect logistic regression models are estimated for examining the relationship between married women's current contraceptive use and IPV experienced by women in past 12 months. Results and conclusion: Random effect logistic regression results suggest that for women who are currently using oral pill, the odds of IPV in past 12 months is about one and a half times (OR: 1.33) higher (p<0.050) and about one a half times (OR: 1.54) higher (p<0.001) respectively in Nigeria and Bangladesh compared to those women who are not currently using any method of contraception for delaying pregnancy. Results suggest that IPV leads to lack of autonomy, social isolation and financial instability in women, which in turns leads to poor health seeking behavior.