Examining gender and sexual orientation differences in physical intimate partner violence experienced and perpetrated by youth living in eThekwini district South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Published in: BMC public health Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 1 - 2300
• Main Authors: Closson, Kalysha, Zulu, Bongiwe, Jesson, Julie, Dietrich, Janan J, Pakhomova, Tatiana, Basham, C. Andrew, Beksinska, Mags, Kaida, Angela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central Ltd 21-11-2023; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Aggression; Bisexuality; Cellular telephones; Cisgender; Community; COVID-19; Demographic aspects; Domestic violence; Epidemics; Family violence; Gender; Gender aspects; Gender differences; Gender identity; Health aspects; Health surveys; Heterosexuality; Homosexuality; Influence; Intimate partner violence; Lesbianism; Lesbians; LGBTQ; LGBTQ people; Life Sciences; Men; Mental health; Pandemics; Psychological aspects; Public health; Questionnaires; Questions; Research ethics; Santé publique et épidémiologie; Sexual behavior; Sexual minorities; Sexual orientation; Sexuality; Social aspects; South Africa; Teenagers; Transgender people; Transgender persons; Violence; Women; Young adults; Young women; Youth; South Africa; COVID-19; South Africa; Youth; Gender; LGBTQ; Intimate partner violence
• ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17199-x

Abstract
Background
Young women and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Non-binary/no gender, or Questioning (LGBTQ+) youth in South Africa face some of the highest global levels of intimate partner violence (IPV). Given limited evidence in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has fuelled IPV globally, we aimed to describe and compare experiences and perpetration of IPV of youth aged 16–24 by sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).
Methods
During the study period (December 2021-May 2022), youth aged 16–24 from eThekwini district, South Africa completed an online survey to understand multilevel impacts of the pandemic on youth. Participants were asked about experiences and perpetration of physical IPV since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020). Descriptive statistics and adjusted logistic regressions compared the likelihood of experiencing and/or perpetrating physical IPV between cisgender and transgender inclusive heterosexual men; heterosexual women; gay, bisexual, or questioning men [GBQM]; lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning women [LGBQW]; or gender/sexual non-conforming youth [non-conforming].
Results
Of 1,588 youth (mean age = 21.7 [SD = 2.3]; 71.7% Black) with non-missing SOGI and physical IPV data, 238 (15.0%) were LGBTQ+ (40.3% LGBQW and 36.1% non-conforming). Overall, 14.6% of respondents experienced physical IPV and 9.8% perpetrated physical IPV since the start of the pandemic, which differed by SOGI (12.3% of heterosexual men, 13.9% of heterosexual women, 22.0% of GBQM, 18.2% of LGBQW, and 25.0% of non-conforming youth experienced and 10.3% of heterosexual men; 7.7% of heterosexual women; 10.0% of GBQM; 18.2% of LGBQW; and 16.7% of non-conforming youth perpetrated). In adjusted models, compared to heterosexual women, non-conforming youth had increased odds of experiencing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.36; 95%CI, 1.26–4.39) physical IPV and compared to heterosexual men, non-conforming youth had greater odds of perpetrating physical IPV (aOR = 2.19; 95%CI, 1.07–4.48) during the pandemic.
Conclusion
Over one in six youth in our study experienced and one in ten perpetrated physical IPV since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with gender and sexual non-conforming youth experiencing and perpetrating IPV at significantly greater rates than cisgender/heterosexual peers. Our findings highlight the need for gender transformative efforts that move beyond the gender binary to support healthy relationships and IPV prevention for LGBTQ + youth in South Africa and globally.