Polygyny and Intimate Partner Violence among Married Women: Sub-national Estimates from a Cross-Sectional Study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global issue with several social and health consequences. Global estimates indicate that one-third of women have experienced lifetime IPV. In 2013, sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest rates of IPV. Furthermore, previous research showed that polygyny is positively associated with IPV. This study examined associations between polygyny and IPV in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with a special attention to geographical variations. The paper used a subsample of 3,749 married women from 2013 - 2014 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in the DRC. Findings showed spatial variations for polygyny and the three types of IPV.