Infertility and male-perpetrated intimate partner violence against HIV-negative women in low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional study

Male-perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a global crisis, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to restrictive gender norms. Stigma against infertility and childlessness could increase women's vulnerability to IPV. This study analyzed data from the Demographic Health Survey, including 93,734 ever-in-union, HIV-negative women aged 20-49 years across 16 LMICs. Logistic regressions, adjusted for survey design and covariates, compared lifetime and past-year IPV exposures (any, physical, sexual, emotional) across infertile women, women without children, and women with children. The prevalence of any lifetime and past-year IPV was 40.6% and 30.4%, respectively. Infertile women showed a non-significant difference in their odds of experiencing any IPV compared to women with children (Lifetime: aOR = 0.93, 95%CI 0.71-1.21; Past-year: aOR = 0.94, 95%CI 0.71-1.25). Women without children had lower odds of lifetime IPV (aOR = 0.71, 95%CI 0.58-0.86), with odds of past-year any IPV non-significant (aOR = 0.81, 95%CI 0.66-1.00). The study found alarmingly high prevalence of male-perpetrated IPV among women in LMICs, irrespective of fertility status. Findings highlight the need for universal IPV prevention and support that are inclusive of all women, including families and communities, emphasizing routine screening and support within primary and community healthcare, regardless of women's reproductive experiences.