Demographic Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence in the Rio San Juan Department in Nicaragua

Abstract

Given the strong involvement of policy makers in Nicaragua with the prevention of intimate partner violence, we examined the demographic correlates of intimate partner violence in the Department of the Rio San Juan in Nicaragua, using an adapted version of the Conflict Tactics Scale. The sample consisted of 199 men and 201 women. Results showed that 35% of men and 33% of women had committed at least one act of violence. More men than women had committed serious forms violence on their partner. Overall, intimate partner violence occurred more often in urban areas than in rural areas, and most among single people, followed by cohabiting people, and next by married people. Men with a low or medium income showed of all groups the highest levels of intimate partner violence. Participants with the lowest educational level reported the highest occurrence of intimate partner violence. Results are line with those found in previous studies. Implications for policies are discussed within the article.