Background: While there is consensus that women aged 50
and older remain at risk of intimate partner violence (IPV), there is a
pronounced lack of understanding about the prevalence, forms, and risk factors
for IPV in this age group, particularly in low- and middle-income countries
(LMICs).
Methodology:
The prevalence and associated factors of recent
IPV among South African women age 50 and older (n=1,726) were examined using
cross-sectional data drawn from the First South African National Gender-based
Violence Study. IPV (physical and/or sexual, emotional, economic) and
controlling behaviours in the past 12 months were assessed. Poisson univariable
and multiple regression with a log link and robust variance estimators were
used
to estimate crude and adjusted relative risks (aRRs) and 95% confidence
intervals.
Principal Findings:
Approximately 1 in 12 (8.2%, n=149) women reported at least one form of IPV. Women
aged 50–59 had a higher relative risk of physical and/or sexual (8.23
[2.66-25.45]), economic (2.99 [1.14-7.85]), emotional (2.12 [1.01-4.43]), and
any forms of IPV (2.05 [1.21-3.45]) than women aged ≥60. Relative risk for
physical and/or sexual (3.62 [1.11-11.82] IPV and any form of IPV (1.77
[1.01-3.12]) were statistically higher for Black women. Currently married women
had a significantly higher relative risk of emotional (2.47 [1.35-4.53]) and
controlling behaviours (2.71 [1.63-4.50]). Mild and moderate-to-severe
depressive symptoms were also strongly associated with IPV across all
typologies (physical and/or sexual: 6.31 [1.83-21.82], economic: (3.64
[1.27-10.42], emotional: (4.57 [1.82-11.48]), controlling behaviours: (3.58
[1.89-6.78]).
Conclusions: There exists a persistent, yet
under-recognised, burden of IPV and poor mental health among older South
African women. Findings underscore an urgent need for age-sensitive,
intersectional approaches to violence prevention and mental health support. As South
Africa's population ages, integrating IPV screening and tailored interventions
into health and social care systems will be crucial for promoting healthy
ageing.