Domestic Gender-Based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health-Seeking Behavior Among Women in Lusaaze Informal Settlement, Kampala, Uganda
- 1Kampala Hospital limited
Abstract
Background: Domestic gender-based violence (DGBV) can undermine women's sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and reproductive autonomy. However, community-level evidence examining multiple forms of violence and their relationship with SRH-seeking behaviour in Uganda's informal urban settlements remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence of DGBV, associated factors and its relationship with SRH-seeking behaviour among women in Lusaaze, Kampala. Methods: A quantitative, community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 383 women aged 15 to 49 years. Data from 377 eligible participants were analysed using descriptive statistics and modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among 374 women with complete violence data, 72.5% (95% CI 67.7 to 76.7) reported at least one form of DGBV, while 49.7% experienced all four forms. Emotional violence was most prevalent (65.2%), followed by physical (62.8%), sexual (59.9%) and economic violence (56.7%). DGBV was not significantly associated with HIV testing or antenatal care attendance. However, it was associated with current contraceptive use (aPR 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01 to1.22) and partner interference with family planning (aPR 3.36, 95% CI: 1.25 to 9.06). Conclusion: DGBV was highly prevalent and frequently involved multiple forms of violence. Despite high contraceptive use and antenatal care attendance, reproductive autonomy remained constrained by partner interference. Integrating confidential, survivor-centred violence screening and reproductive autonomy support into SRH services is essential.
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BibTeX
@misc{sharif2026domestic,
title = {{Domestic Gender-Based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health-Seeking Behavior Among Women in Lusaaze Informal Settlement, Kampala, Uganda}},
author = {K. SHARIF and N. Elizabeth},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.64898/2026.07.05.26355955},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.05.26355955v2},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Domestic Gender-Based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health-Seeking Behavior Among Women in Lusaaze Informal Settlement, Kampala, Uganda
AU - K. SHARIF
AU - N. Elizabeth
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/05
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.07.05.26355955
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.05.26355955v2
AB - Background: Domestic gender-based violence (DGBV) can undermine women's sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and reproductive autonomy. However, community-level evidence examining multiple forms of violence and their relationship with SRH-seeking behaviour in Uganda's informal urban settlements remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence of DGBV, associated factors and its relationship with SRH-seeking behaviour among women in Lusaaze, Kampala. Methods: A quantitative, community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 383 women aged 15 to 49 years. Data from 377 eligible participants were analysed using descriptive statistics and modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among 374 women with complete violence data, 72.5% (95% CI 67.7 to 76.7) reported at least one form of DGBV, while 49.7% experienced all four forms. Emotional violence was most prevalent (65.2%), followed by physical (62.8%), sexual (59.9%) and economic violence (56.7%). DGBV was not significantly associated with HIV testing or antenatal care attendance. However, it was associated with current contraceptive use (aPR 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01 to1.22) and partner interference with family planning (aPR 3.36, 95% CI: 1.25 to 9.06). Conclusion: DGBV was highly prevalent and frequently involved multiple forms of violence. Despite high contraceptive use and antenatal care attendance, reproductive autonomy remained constrained by partner interference. Integrating confidential, survivor-centred violence screening and reproductive autonomy support into SRH services is essential.
ER -