title: Intimate Partner Violence and Child Behavioral Problems in South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research in high-income countries has repeatedly demonstrated that intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by women negatively affects the health and behavior of children in their care. However, there is little research on the topic in lower- and middle-income countries. The population-based Asenze Study gathered data on children and their caregivers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This data analysis explores the association of caregiver IPV on child behavior outcomes in children <12 years old and is the first such study in Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  This population-based study was set in 5 Zulu tribal areas characterized by poverty, food insecurity, unemployment, and a high HIV prevalence. The Asenze Study interviewed caregivers via validated measures of IPV, alcohol use, caregiver mental health difficulties, and child behavior disorders in their preschool children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 980 caregivers assessed, 37% had experienced IPV from their current partner. Experience of partner violence (any, physical, or sexual) remained strongly associated with overall child behavior problems (odds ratio range: 2.46-3.10) even after age, HIV status, cohabitation with the partner, alcohol use, and posttraumatic stress disorder were accounted for.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Childhood behavioral difficulties are associated with their caregiver's experience of IPV in this population, even after other expected causes of child behavior difficulties are adjusted for. There is a need to investigate the longer-term impact of caregiver partner violence, particularly sexual IPV, on the health and well-being of vulnerable children in lower- and middle-income countries. Studies should also investigate whether preventing IPV reduces the occurrence of childhood behavior difficulties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, and pchander08@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pratibha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chander
authors.affiliation: Departments of Public Health and.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kvalsvig
authors.affiliation: Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Claude A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mellins
authors.affiliation: Paediatrics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; and.
authors.forename: Shuaib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kauchali
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, and.|Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Arpadi
authors.affiliation: Departments of Public Health and.
authors.forename: Myra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, and.
authors.forename: Justin R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, and.|Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Leslie L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011204:Poverty Areas; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D014478:Unemployment