A Latent Class Analysis of Gender Attitudes and Their Associations with Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Gender role attitudes, views held by individuals regarding the roles men and women should play in society, are a powerful social determinant of health. However, work remains in elucidating the associations between gender attitudes and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration or victimization and mental health problems. We used latent class analysis to classify patterns of responses on survey items on gender attitudes by male and female adults in households that participated in an economic empowerment intervention and evaluation in rural villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Attitudes about IPV and gender equality were two subdomains to emerge from analysis and a 3-class model solution was found to best fit response patterns. Results indicated that, as compared to the least gender equitable class, individuals in the moderately gender equitable and fully gender equitable classes had lower odds of having experienced or perpetrated psychological abuse. Individuals within the moderately gender equitable class were at lower odds of having experienced or perpetrated physical or sexual violence. Further, individuals in the moderately gender equitable and fully gender equitable classes had significantly lower mean scores on symptoms associated with PTSD than individuals in the least gender equitable class. Future research should explore the relationships between gender attitudes, partner violence and mental health to build resilient families

Livestock/animal assets buffer the impact of conflict-related traumatic events on mental health symptoms for rural women.

In the context of multiple adversities, women are demonstrating resilience in rebuilding their futures, through participation in microfinance programs. In addition to the economic benefits of microfinance, there is evidence to suggest that it is an effective vehicle for improving health.The parent study is a community-based trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a livestock microfinance intervention, Pigs for Peace (PFP), on health and economic outcomes with households in 10 villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The analysis for this manuscript includes only baseline data from female participants enrolled in the ongoing parent study. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine if livestock/animal asset value moderates the relationship between conflict-related traumatic events and current mental health symptoms.The majority of women are 25 years or older, married, have on average 4 children in the home and have never attended school. Nearly 50% of women report having at least one livestock/animal asset at baseline. Over the past 10 years, women report on average more than 4 (M = 4.31, SD 3·64) traumatic events (range 0-18). Women reported symptoms consistent with PTSD with a mean score of ·2.30 (SD = 0·66 range 0-4) and depression with a mean score of 1.86 (SD = 0·49, range 0-3.47). The livestock/animal asset value by conflict-related traumatic events interaction was significant for both the PTSD (p = 0·021) and depression (p = 0·002) symptom models.The study provides evidence of the moderating affect of livestock/animal assets on mental health symptoms for women who have experienced conflict. The findings supports evidence about the importance of livestock/animal assets to economics in rural households but expands on previous research by demonstrating the psychosocial effects of these assets on women's health.clinicaltrials.gov NCT02008708

Exploring caregivers’ gender attitudes’ influence on adolescent health in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: A mixed methods study

Adolescence is a developmentally important phase in one’s life. However, restrictive gender attitudes that gain increased importance during adolescence prevent many from reaching their health and development potential. The objective of this study is to explore associations between caregiver gender attitudes and adolescent psychosocial health, school attendance, and food security in a sample living in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region that has experienced persistent poverty and nearly thirty years of insecurity. A mixed methods design was selected for this research. Quantitative results were combined with qualitative focus group discussion results to provide new insight into how caregiver gender attitudes might influence adolescent health and development. Findings from the research suggest that more gender equitable caregiver attitudes are associated with fewer reports of internalising behaviour and greater food security in adolescent girls. No significant associations were found between caregiver gender equality attitudes and adolescent prosocial behaviour or school attendance. Focus group discussions supported some quantitative findings while refuting others. Participants suggested that adolescent girls with caregivers who endorse more equitable gender attitudes experience less psychological control and witness less conflict and violence between caregivers in their home

Regression Results Using Baseline Data from Parent Study.

<p>Regression Results Using Baseline Data from Parent Study.</p

Percent of women experiencing conflict-related traumatic events in past 10 years.

<p>Percent of women experiencing conflict-related traumatic events in past 10 years.</p

Participant Characteristics.

<p>Participant Characteristics.</p

Preventing risky behaviours among young adolescents in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: A qualitative study

This qualitative study explores and describes adolescent risk behaviours, specifically consumption of alcohol and use of violence; the perceived consequences of these behaviours on future well-being and relationships; and collaboratively identifies the essential components of a prevention intervention for risk behaviours (alcohol use, violence) among young adolescents while strengthening the protective individual and relationship factors in post-conflict Democratic Republic of Congo. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted with 28 male and female youth, 20 parents/guardians and 20 stakeholders in three rural villages of South Kivu Province. Trained interviewers conducted interviews and participated in daily debriefing. Descriptive qualitative analysis was used to analyse the data. Youth use of violence and alcohol was associated with a range of factors including peer influence, parent behaviours, school enrolment and poverty. The consequences of risk behaviour include damaged family and social bonds, reduced economic and educational productivity and promise. Community-based, multilevel prevention interventions that promote protective factors and reduce youth exposure and vulnerability to risk factors may have immediate and long-term impact on youth health and behaviour. Such a programme could engage youth, adults and local stakeholders in a range of social, educational and economic activities