Drought, Extreme Heat, and Intimate Partner Violence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Elevated temperatures are linked to increased intimate partner violence (IPV).
• The impact of drought and its interaction with extreme heat on IPV risk remains under-researched.
• IPV is a significant human rights violation with substantial public health implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interactive association between drought, extreme heat, and intimate partner violence (IPV).
• To analyze this relationship across 42 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study utilizing data from women surveyed in sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean (2003-2020).
• Drought measured using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index; extreme heat defined by temperature percentiles.
• IPV assessed through past 12-month prevalence of emotional, physical, and sexual violence.

Main Results:

• Overall drought exposure at various timescales was associated with increased IPV risk, most notably at the 12-month scale (RR, 1.07).
• Both mild and severe drought conditions showed significant associations with increased IPV.
• A negative and significant interaction was observed between drought and extreme heat, suggesting a complex interplay.

Conclusions:

• Drought conditions, irrespective of duration, are associated with a heightened risk of IPV in LMICs.
• The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated strategies to address domestic violence in the context of climate change.
• Public health and policy interventions must consider the impact of climate-related stressors on interpersonal violence.