Factors Determining Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Among Married Women in Bhutan

Abstract Background Although continuous efforts are being made to address violence against women, the prevalence among married women and the underlying determining factors remain relatively underexplored and rarely studied in Bhutan. This study aims to determine the factors associated with IPV (physical, psychological or sexual), and to determine its prevalence, including women justifying IPV in Bhutan. Methods The study employed descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses, utilizing data from the 2010 Bhutan Multiple Indicator Survey, encompassing a sample of 9,210 married Bhutanese women. Results The prevalence of IPV was 22.5% (physical violence–12.8%; psychological violence–16.7%; and sexual violence–6.6%). The percentage of women who justified attitudes supporting wife hitting or beating was 71.2%. There was a negative association observed between household standard of living and physical, psychological and sexual IPV, as well as attitudes justifying IPV. Women residing in urban area was positively associated with physical but not with psychological domestic violence and an attitude about wife beating. Women’s age at first marriage was positively associated with physical and with attitudes about wife beating. Pregnant women exhibited reduced likelihood of experiencing both physical and psychological IPV, but pregnant women residing in rural areas faced higher odds of encountering both forms of IPV. Women who reported their husbands' infidelity exhibited elevated odds of experiencing both physical and psychological IPV. Conclusion Close to a quarter of married women have encountered IPV, with psychological IPV emerging as the most prevalent form, trailed by physical IPV. Household standard of living, lower education level, rural pregnancy, husband’s infidelity, area of residence, location, and women’s age at first marriage was risk factors of IPV.