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Tolerance of Violence against Women and the Risk of Psychosocial Distress in Humanitarian Settings in Northern Uganda

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Bukuluki

    (School of Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala 7062, Uganda)

  • Peter Kisaakye

    (School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University, Kampala 7062, Uganda)

  • Bonny Etti

    (Save the Children, Kampala 12018, Uganda)

  • Micheal Ocircan

    (Save the Children, Kampala 12018, Uganda)

  • Roberts-Reites Bev

    (Save the Children, Kampala 12018, Uganda)

Abstract

Background: Violence against women (VAW) remains a public health concern, which can sometimes lead to mental or psychological stress among other negative consequences. Data and methods: we fitted a binary logistic regression model on 657 respondents from host and refugee settings in three humanitarian districts (Adjumani, Obongi, and Lamwo) to examine the determinants of psychosocial stress. Results: experience of psychosocial distress is higher among refugees than host populations. Results indicate a higher proportion of respondents who ever experienced psychosocial stress in the 6 months preceding the survey among those who believed that a woman should tolerate violence (59% vs. 53%). Respondents who believed that a woman should tolerate violence had higher odds of experiencing psychosocial stress than their counterparts who believed a woman should not tolerate violence (OR = 6.86; 95%CI = 1.23–38.22). The likelihood to experience psychosocial stress was higher among females (OR = 6.94; 95%CI = 1.76–27.32), those with primary education (OR = 4.73; 95%CI = 1.24–18.00), and respondents with less than USD 2.7 as personal income one month before the survey (OR = 3.37; 95%CI = 1.32–8.62). Respondents who said that women should engage in income generation activities had higher odds to experience psychosocial stress (OR = 0.39; 95%CI = 0.17–0.89). Conclusion: results suggest that income and positive attitudes toward female-led income generating activities act as protective measures against psychosocial distress. Given the associations between VAW and psychosocial distress, efforts aimed at prevention and response to VAW in humanitarian settings should integrate mental health and psychosocial support interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Bukuluki & Peter Kisaakye & Bonny Etti & Micheal Ocircan & Roberts-Reites Bev, 2021. "Tolerance of Violence against Women and the Risk of Psychosocial Distress in Humanitarian Settings in Northern Uganda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:8103-:d:605506
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sepali Guruge & Brenda Roche & Cristina Catallo, 2012. "Violence against Women: An Exploration of the Physical and Mental Health Trends among Immigrant and Refugee Women in Canada," Nursing Research and Practice, Hindawi, vol. 2012, pages 1-15, May.
    2. World Bank, 2019. "Informing the Refugee Policy Response in Uganda," World Bank Publications - Reports 32511, The World Bank Group.
    3. Helen Liebling & Hazel Barrett & Lilly Artz, 2020. "South Sudanese Refugee Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Torture: Health and Justice Service Responses in Northern Uganda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-21, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lindsay Stark & Ilana Seff & Massy Mutumba & Emma Fulu, 2023. "Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health: Deepening Our Understanding of Associations, Pathways, and Prevention in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-4, January.

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