Psychosocial interventions for intimate partner violence in low and middle income countries: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

David T. Turner, Elena Riedel, Loulou Hassan Kobeissi, Eirini Karyotaki, Claudia Garcia-Moreno, Lale Say, Pim Cuijpers

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent worldwide and presents pernicious consequences for women in developing countries or humanitarian settings. We examined the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for IPV among women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: Seven databases were systematically searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining psychosocial interventions for IPV in LMICs. Thirteen RCTs were included in random-effects meta-analyses. Risk ratios (RR) and risk difference were calculated as pooled effect sizes. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted version of the Cochrane tool accounting for cluster RCTs. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for risk of bias and design characteristics. Publication bias and heterogeneity were assessed. Results: Psychosocial interventions reduced any form of IPV by 27% at shortest (relative risk (RR) = 0.73) and 25% at longest (RR = 0.75) follow up. Physical IPV was reduced by 22% at shortest (RR = 0.78) and 27% at longest (RR = 0.73) follow up. Sexual IPV was reduced by 23% at longest follow up (RR = 0.77) but showed no significant effect at shortest follow-up. Sensitivity analyses for risk of bias led to an increase in magnitude of the effect for any form of IPV and physical IPV. The effect on sexual IPV was no longer significant. Heterogeneity was moderate to high in the majority of comparisons. Conclusions: Psychosocial interventions may reduce the impact of IPV in humanitarian or low and middle income settings. We acknowledge heterogeneity and limited availability of RCTs demonstrating minimal risk of bias as limitations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number010409
Pages (from-to)1-12
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of global health
Volume10
Issue number1
Early online date7 Apr 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2020

Funding

Acknowledgements: The authors would like to acknowledge Melissa Harper Shehadeh for contribution to this project. Funding: This work was funded by the Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR), including the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World/Bank Special programme of research, development and research training in human reproduction (HRP). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Authorship contributions: DT contributed to the design and conceptualisation, conducted systematic searches and study selection, collected data, analysed data and wrote the manuscript. ER conducted systematic searches and study selection, collected data, contributed to data analysis and reviewed the manuscript. LK contributed to design and conceptualisation, provided supervision from the sponsor and reviewed the manuscript. EK contributed to the design and conceptualisation, provided supervision and reviewed the manuscript. CG reviewed the manuscript and provided expert opinion LC contributed to design and conceptualisation, provided supervision from the sponsor and reviewed the manuscript. PC provided overall supervision to the project throughout conceptualisation, design, data collection and analysis and reviewed the manuscript. The authors would like to acknowledge Melissa Harper Shehadeh for contribution to this project. This work was funded by the Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR), including the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World/Bank Special programme of research, development and research training in human reproduction (HRP). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

FundersFunder number
Bank
Department of Reproductive Health and Research
RHR
UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF
WHO/World/Bank
World
World Health Organization
UNICEF
United Nations Population Fund
United Nations Development Programme

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Psychosocial interventions for intimate partner violence in low and middle income countries: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this