Severe partner perpetrated burn: Examining a nationally representative sample of women in India

This paper investigates severe partner perpetrated burn (SPPB) in India and associated social correlates.

Data are from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), a cross-sectional nationally representative household-based survey. Age, wealth index, education, urban/rural status, region, in-law violence, parental abuse, father abuse of mother, presence of a son, and age at marriage were examined for relationships with SPPB. Models with two reference groups were created (women without intimate partner violence; women with other non-burn intimate partner violence). Logistic regression analyses were computed.

Prevalence of SPPB was 1.00% (n=429). When compared to women with no intimate partner violence (IPV), greater wealth and rural status were protective of SPPB, but having a father who abused the participant's mother increased odds of SPPB over three times. When compared to women who had experienced IPV, presence of a son was protective of SPPB, as was not living in the South. Similarities between models included increased odds of SPPB associated with in-law violence and younger age at marriage.

SPPB was associated with measures that impacted odds of its occurrence. Prevention efforts should consider these and other cultural factors.