Spatial distribution of intimate partner violence in Jordan: results from the 2023 Population and Family Health Survey.

BACKGROUND

Public health burden and human rights violations converge in intimate partner violence (IPV), reflecting sociocultural inequalities that deny women their basic right to safety.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of data from the 2023 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS) was conducted to analyze the geographic distribution of IPV in Jordan.

RESULTS

IPV proportions varied from 0 to 100% at the cluster/enumeration area (EA) level. Using inverse distance conceptualization, Moran's I results (Index value: 0.051927; Z-score: 9.041519; p < 0.001) showed statistically significant clustering. Higher proportions were found in the northeastern governorates of Ajloun, Jarash, and Balqa, as well as in the northwestern areas of Zarqa and Amman governorates. Lower IPV proportions were observed in the Tafiela and Irbid governorates, as well as in the northeastern part of the Mafraq governorate; hot spot and cold spot analyses reinforced these findings. Cluster analysis using SaTScan revealed one primary and three secondary clusters of IPV. The spatial window of the primary cluster was located in an area encompassing the governorates of Ajloun, Jarash, Balqa, Zarqa, and Amman, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.78, a log-likelihood ratio (LLR) of 50.88, and a p-value of 0.001.

CONCLUSION

Spatial clustering patterns, along with the identification of areas with high and low IPV prevalence, suggest the need for targeted resource allocation and interventions in Jordan to reduce and prevent the avoidable suffering and human rights violations experienced by married women.