Extent and causes of increased domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic: Community health worker perspectives from Kenya, Bangladesh, and Haiti

Authors

Ann Gottert, Population Council
Timothy Abuya, Population Council
Sharif M.I. Hossain, Population Council
Alain Casseus
Charlotte E. Warren, Population Council
Pooja Sripad, Population Council

Document Type

Article (peer-reviewed)

Publication Date

7-6-2021

Abstract

Background: Emerging data, media reports, and anecdotal evidence suggest that domestic violence (DV) has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, more detailed data are needed on the magnitude, forms, and causes of DV during COVID-19 in different contexts worldwide. We sought to contribute such evidence from the perspective of community health workers (CHWs) in low-middle income countries in three different regions of the world. Methods: We conducted phone surveys with female and male CHWs from September-December 2020 in Kenya (n=1,385), Bangladesh (n=370), and Haiti (n=261). Descriptive and selected bivariate analyses were performed. Results: In total, 56%, 32% and 12% perceived increased DV in their communities during COVID-19 in Kenya, Bangladesh and Haiti, respectively. This included violence against both intimate partners and children. Key reasons reported for DV increases were increased stress/tension due to loss of employment/income ( > 80%) and children being home/misbehaving ( > 50%). In Kenya CHWs also cited partners spending more time together (59%), increased alcohol/substance use (38%), and conflict over childcare/housework responsibilities (33%). In bivariate analyses, in Kenya and Bangladesh, reporting a greater number of reasons for increased DV was associated with reporting co-occurring violence against both intimate partners and children (vs. just partners; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Over half of CHWs in Kenya and one-third in Bangladesh perceived increased DV during COVID-19, largely due to increased stress/tension related to economic hardship and childcare. Fewer perceived increased DV in Haiti, where lockdowns have been less severe. Preventing and responding to DV must be central to COVID-19 response and recovery plans, and should include meeting families’ economic and childcare/schooling needs.

Recommended Citation

Gottert, Ann, Timothy Abuya, Sharif M.I. Hossain, Alain Casseus, Charlotte E. Warren, and Pooja Sripad. 2021. "Extent and causes of increased domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic: Community health worker perspectives from Kenya, Bangladesh, and Haiti," Journal of Global Health Reports 5: e2021063.

DOI

10.29392/001c.24944

Language

English

Project

Frontline Health: Harmonizing Metrics, Advancing Evidence, Accelerating Policy; Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic