Sociodemographic Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in an Urban Brazilian City

Background: Intimate partner violence is a global health burden that disproportionately affects women and their health outcome. In Brazil, the prevalence of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) in 2002-2003 was estimated at 27.5%. We aimed to estimate the lifetime prevalence of IPVAW and to identify socioeconomic factors associated with IPVAW in urban Brazil.Methods: Using a cross-sectional community-based design, we interviewed women aged ≥18 years in the urban Brazilian city, Maringá, who currently or have had an intimate partner. The 13-item WHO Violence Against Women instrument was used to ask participants about their experiences with intimate partner violence, including communication patterns, partner’s controlling behaviors, and psychological, physical and sexual violence.