Peer-reviewed article
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women during a public health crisis: Latent class analysis (LCA) of a population-based data.
Reza Moshfeghinia, Sara Mostafavi, Erfan Sanaei, Getinet Ayano, Hossein Molavi Vardanjani ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view ·Key points
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women is a critical public health issue in developing nations like Iran, exacerbated by socioeconomic disparities. This study identifies IPV severity patterns and examines sociodemographic factors linked to each severity class among partnered women. METHODS: A population-based cohort study involving 2,502 partnered Iranian women aged 18 to 60 years, with a six-month follow-up. Data on mental, physical, and sexual IPV were collected through structured surveys. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to identify severity profiles. Logistic regression models were used to explore sociodemographic predictors of class membership. Results are reported as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Data from 2,116 women (mean age, 37.68years; SD: 10.25) were analyzed. Five IPV severity profiles were identified: No IPV (35%), Mild IPV (6%), Mild-to-Moderate IPV (23%), Moderate-to-Severe IPV (22%), and Severe IPV (14%). The Mild IPV group included younger women (under 40 years) and was associated with higher age at marriage and unemployed spouses. The Mild-to-Moderate and Moderate-to-Severe IPV groups were associated with longer marriage duration and more children. The Severe IPV group was characterized by lower socioeconomic status, larger spousal age gaps, longer marriage duration, higher age at marriage, and a greater number of children. CONCLUSION: IPV severity in this developing country population clustered into five distinct profiles. Severe IPV was consistently linked to socioeconomic disadvantage and relational vulnerabilities. Tailored interventions targeting high-risk women in resource-limited settings are essential to reduce IPV burden. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.