Federal government websites often end in. The site is secure. A fully anonymised minimal data set underlying results described in our manuscript can now be found in page 8 of the manuscript Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of research participants. For enquiries researchers can contact: ku. Intimate Partner Violence IPV is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide.
Research indicates that adults suffering from long term, disabling conditions are more likely to be victims of IPV due to the intersection of disease-associated stigma and discrimination. IPV in turn is known to worsen the overall health and wellbeing of those affected by it. Little research however explores the relationship between neglected tropical diseases such as podoconiosis and IPV. This study explores the relationship between IPV and podoconiosis in northern Ethiopia with the aim of identifying new avenues for limiting disability and promoting the wellbeing of people affected by this neglected tropical disease.
Data were collected by native speakers of the local language Amharic in the form of semi-structured interviews during January and February Thematic and content data analysis was carried out, using the Open Code 3. A total of 15 women living with podoconiosis and experiencing IPV were interviewed aged 31 to Women experienced different forms of IPV, including beatings with or without an object , insults, name calling, undermining, denial of equal rights over common assets, movement monitoring, cheating, abandonment, forced divorce, obstruction of health care access, inhibition of decision-making and sexual coercion.
Podoconiosis increases the frequency and severity of IPV and in occasions shapes a change from physical to psychological and financial violence. Women living with podoconiosis are victims of various, overlapping forms of IPV that negatively impact their health and wellbeing.
Tackling disease-associated taboo and stigma, developing accessible IPV interventions, working towards greater gender equality at the household and societal levels and developing sustainable strategies for improving the socio-economic assets of women affected by podoconiosis are all necessary to both prevent IPV and to improve disease outcome.
