Interpersonal and intimate partner violence exposure and associated factors amongst patients in a Kenyan emergency department

Interpersonal violence and intimate partner violence remain public health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, yet the role of emergency departments (EDs) in addressing these issues is understudied. This research evaluates prevalence and predictors of interpersonal violence and intimate partner violence among adults presenting to a large public ED in Nairobi, Kenya, and to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of interpersonal violence and intimate partner violence.

This was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from adults continuously presenting to the Kenyatta National Hospital ED between July and August 2024. Descriptive statistics and forward stepwise logistic regression were used to assess demographic and other variable risks for interpersonal violence and intimate partner violence.

Among 325 participants, over half (n = 176, 54.2%) reported lifetime interpersonal violence, and 117 individuals (36%) reported past year interpersonal violence, intimate partner violence, or both. Violence was more common among those presenting for traumatic injuries. HIV-positive status (aOR = 10.15, 95%CI 2.39–43.17), homelessness (aOR = 2.57, 95%CI 1.22–5.44), and ever paying for sex (aOR = 3.84, 95%CI 1.39–10.65) were associated with increased odds of interpersonal violence, while higher education (aOR = 0.51, 95%CI 0.26–0.99), higher income (aOR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.27–0.89), and female sex (aOR = 0.43, 95%CI 0.21–0.85) were associated with lower odds. Commercial sex work showed a strong but non-significant association with interpersonal violence (aOR = 2.86, 95%CI 0.95–8.67) and a significant association with intimate partner violence (aOR = 10.44, 95%CI 3.54–30.83).

Findings highlight the significant burden of violence among ED patients and the influence of structural and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. ED-based care strategies may offer important opportunities to identify and support individuals at heightened risk.