Examining gender and sexual orientation differences in physical intimate partner violence experienced and perpetrated by youth living in eThekwini district South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Abstract Background: Young women and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Non-binary/no gender, or Questioning (LGBTQ+) youth in South Africa face some of the highest global levels of intimate partner violence (IPV). Given limited evidence in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has fuelled IPV globally, we aimed to describe and compare experiences and perpetration of IPV of youth aged 16-24 by sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). Methods: December 2021-May 2022, youth aged 16-24 years from eThekwini district, South Africa completed an online survey to understand multilevel impacts of the pandemic on youth. Participants were asked about experiences and perpetration of physical IPV since the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive statistics and adjusted logistic regressions compared the likelihood of experiencing and/or perpetrating physical IPV between heterosexual men; heterosexual women; gay, bisexual, or questioning men [GBQM; lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning women [LGBQW]; or gender/sexual non-conforming youth [non-conforming]. Results: Of 1,584 youth (mean age=21.7 [SD=2.3]; 71.7% Black) with non-missing SOGI and physical IPV data, 239 (15.1%) were LGBTQ+ (40.6% LGBQW and 36.0% non-conforming). The proportion of youth both experiencing and perpetrating physical IPV differed by SOGI (13.3% of heterosexual men, 14.1% of heterosexual women, 23.2% of GBQM, 20.8% of LGBQW, and 25.6% of non-conforming youth experienced and 10.9% of heterosexual men; 7.7% of heterosexual women; 10.7% of GBQM; 16.5% of LGBQW; and 16.3% of non-conforming youth perpetrated). In adjusted models, compared to heterosexual women, non-conforming youth had increased odds of experiencing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.73; 95%CI, 1.57-5.06) physical IPV and non-conforming youth (aOR=3.02; 95%CI, 1.42-6.41), LGBQW (aOR=2.09; 95%CI, 1.06-4.09), and heterosexual men (aOR=1.55; 95%CI, 1.01-2.37) all had greater odds of perpetrating physical IPV during the pandemic. Conclusion: In the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, over one in six youth in our study experienced and one in ten perpetrated physical IPV, with gender and sexual non-conforming youth experiencing and perpetrating IPV at significantly greater rates than cisgender/heterosexual peers. Our findings highlight the need for gender transformative efforts that move beyond the gender binary to support healthy relationships and IPV prevention for LGBTQ+ youth in South Africa and globally.