Is exposure to inter-parental violence associated with recent intimate partner violence among women in Kibra informal settlements?

BACKGROUND Exposure to inter-parental violence has been associated with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). However, research in Kenya's informal settlements (ISs) has been limited in determining this empirical link. This study aimed to examine if inter-parental violence exposure (IPVE) is associated with IPV in the ISs of Kibra, Nairobi, Kenya. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study design was employed with 1,068 women living in Kibra ISs selected through systematic random sampling. A modified questionnaire from the Demographic Health and Survey (DHS) targeting women's experience of IPV measured by combining physical, sexual, and emotional violence was used. The main explanatory variable was women or their partner’s IPVE during childhood. Data were analysed using STATA v.15. RESULTS The study revealed that 73% of women exposed to inter-parental violence had experienced IPV. Meanwhile, of women whose partners had been exposed to inter-parental violence, 75% had experienced IPV. Women exposed to inter-parental violence had increased odds of experiencing IPV AOR=2.27 (95% CI: 1.56-3.29), while women whose partners were exposed to inter-parental violence were positively associated with IPV AOR=1.59 (95% CI: 1.01-2.48). CONCLUSION This study shows that IPV is associated with IPVE among women in Kibra ISs. Targeted interventions may require social and behavioural change implementation that can break the cycle of violence among women and partners exposed to inter-parental violence during childhood. Further research can delve into robust evidence-based study designs to understand IPV and IPVE.