Intimate Partner Violence against Indigenous Women and Association with Stunting and Anemia in Children: A Mixed Approach in Chimborazo-Ecuador

María F. Rivadeneira; María D. Naranjo; María F. Barrera; Patricio Trujillo; María A. Montaluisa; Ana L. Moncayo; David Grijalva; Ana L. Torres

doi:10.1007/s10995-025-04117-3

Intimate Partner Violence against Indigenous Women and Association with Stunting and Anemia in Children: A Mixed Approach in Chimborazo-Ecuador

María F. Rivadeneira^*
, María D. Naranjo
, María F. Barrera
, Patricio Trujillo
, María A. Montaluisa
, Ana L. Moncayo
, David Grijalva
, Ana L. Torres

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe intimate partner violence in Indigenous women and assess its association with stunting and anemia among children less than five years of age in Chimborazo, Ecuador.

METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods research design with two components: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 317 children under 5 years of age and their mothers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on Spousal Index Abuse, family socioeconomic characteristics, and alcohol consumption. Data on children's anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin were quantified. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regressions were performed to determine the association of stunting and anemia with intimate partner violence. Additionally, a qualitative study was conducted with focus groups in 28 indigenous women from rural communities in Chimborazo.

RESULTS: 31.5% (n = 100) of women were exposed to nonphysical IPV and 18% (n = 57) to physical IPV. Spousal alcohol consumption frequency of twice a month or more was associated with a probability 4.2 times greater of being a victim of IPV (95% CI 1.14-12.6). Physical and non-physical IPV was 2.71 (95% CI 1.36-5.39) and 3.48 times (95% CI 1.4-8.6) more prevalent in households without drinking water supply or sewerage network, respectively. There was not a statistically significant association between IPV and stunting in children. Maternal physical and nonphysical IPV was associated with a higher prevalence of anemia, 2.1 times higher for physical (95% CI 1.8-5.0) and 2.6 for nonphysical IPV (95% CI 1.1-5.8). The focus group discussions revealed a relationship between violence, age, religion, poverty, lack of education, and limited access to public services. For mothers, violence is related to sadness, which affects the health and nutrition of their children.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that children of women exposed to IPV are at greater probability of suffering from anemia. Therefore, an integral approach to IPV prevention is required, through social protection and healthcare policies for mothers and children, considering the intercultural context.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	932-947
Number of pages	16
Journal	Maternal and Child Health Journal
Volume	29
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-025-04117-3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-025-04147-x
State	Published - 28 Jun 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.

Funding

This research was funded by the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, project code UIO-O13048. This research was funded by the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador-PUCE (Grant No. UIO-O13048). We thank the teachers and parents of the early childhood education and child development centers of Chimborazo for the time given to carry out the survey. Special thanks to the zonal coordination of the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion of Ecuador, and to the Postgraduate Degree in Pediatrics of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, for their support in carrying out the study. We also thank the Kichwa translators (María Lluilema and Margarita Chicaiza) for their important support in this study.

Funders	Funder number
Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador
Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador	UIO-O13048

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 1 No Poverty
SDG 2 Zero Hunger
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 5 Gender Equality
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Indexed Database

SCOPUS
WEB OF SCIENCE

Publication Quartile

NAQ1

Keywords

Anemia
Health determinants
Intimate partner violence
Latin America
Mixed approach
Stunting

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Cite this

Rivadeneira, M. F., Naranjo, M. D., Barrera, M. F., Trujillo, P., Montaluisa, M. A., Moncayo, A. L., Grijalva, D., & Torres, A. L. (2025). Intimate Partner Violence against Indigenous Women and Association with Stunting and Anemia in Children: A Mixed Approach in Chimborazo-Ecuador. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 29(7), 932-947. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-025-04117-3, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-025-04147-x

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title = "Intimate Partner Violence against Indigenous Women and Association with Stunting and Anemia in Children: A Mixed Approach in Chimborazo-Ecuador",

abstract = "OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe intimate partner violence in Indigenous women and assess its association with stunting and anemia among children less than five years of age in Chimborazo, Ecuador.METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods research design with two components: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 317 children under 5 years of age and their mothers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on Spousal Index Abuse, family socioeconomic characteristics, and alcohol consumption. Data on children's anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin were quantified. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regressions were performed to determine the association of stunting and anemia with intimate partner violence. Additionally, a qualitative study was conducted with focus groups in 28 indigenous women from rural communities in Chimborazo.RESULTS: 31.5\% (n = 100) of women were exposed to nonphysical IPV and 18\% (n = 57) to physical IPV. Spousal alcohol consumption frequency of twice a month or more was associated with a probability 4.2 times greater of being a victim of IPV (95\% CI 1.14-12.6). Physical and non-physical IPV was 2.71 (95\% CI 1.36-5.39) and 3.48 times (95\% CI 1.4-8.6) more prevalent in households without drinking water supply or sewerage network, respectively. There was not a statistically significant association between IPV and stunting in children. Maternal physical and nonphysical IPV was associated with a higher prevalence of anemia, 2.1 times higher for physical (95\% CI 1.8-5.0) and 2.6 for nonphysical IPV (95\% CI 1.1-5.8). The focus group discussions revealed a relationship between violence, age, religion, poverty, lack of education, and limited access to public services. For mothers, violence is related to sadness, which affects the health and nutrition of their children.CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that children of women exposed to IPV are at greater probability of suffering from anemia. Therefore, an integral approach to IPV prevention is required, through social protection and healthcare policies for mothers and children, considering the intercultural context.",

keywords = "Anemia, Health determinants, Intimate partner violence, Latin America, Mixed approach, Stunting",

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Rivadeneira, MF, Naranjo, MD, Barrera, MF, Trujillo, P, Montaluisa, MA, Moncayo, AL, Grijalva, D & Torres, AL 2025, 'Intimate Partner Violence against Indigenous Women and Association with Stunting and Anemia in Children: A Mixed Approach in Chimborazo-Ecuador', Maternal and Child Health Journal, vol. 29, no. 7, pp. 932-947. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-025-04117-3, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-025-04147-x

TY - JOUR

T1 - Intimate Partner Violence against Indigenous Women and Association with Stunting and Anemia in Children: A Mixed Approach in Chimborazo-Ecuador

AU - Rivadeneira, María F.

AU - Naranjo, María D.

AU - Barrera, María F.

AU - Trujillo, Patricio

AU - Montaluisa, María A.

AU - Moncayo, Ana L.

AU - Grijalva, David

AU - Torres, Ana L.

PY - 2025/6/28

Y1 - 2025/6/28

N2 - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe intimate partner violence in Indigenous women and assess its association with stunting and anemia among children less than five years of age in Chimborazo, Ecuador.METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods research design with two components: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 317 children under 5 years of age and their mothers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on Spousal Index Abuse, family socioeconomic characteristics, and alcohol consumption. Data on children's anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin were quantified. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regressions were performed to determine the association of stunting and anemia with intimate partner violence. Additionally, a qualitative study was conducted with focus groups in 28 indigenous women from rural communities in Chimborazo.RESULTS: 31.5% (n = 100) of women were exposed to nonphysical IPV and 18% (n = 57) to physical IPV. Spousal alcohol consumption frequency of twice a month or more was associated with a probability 4.2 times greater of being a victim of IPV (95% CI 1.14-12.6). Physical and non-physical IPV was 2.71 (95% CI 1.36-5.39) and 3.48 times (95% CI 1.4-8.6) more prevalent in households without drinking water supply or sewerage network, respectively. There was not a statistically significant association between IPV and stunting in children. Maternal physical and nonphysical IPV was associated with a higher prevalence of anemia, 2.1 times higher for physical (95% CI 1.8-5.0) and 2.6 for nonphysical IPV (95% CI 1.1-5.8). The focus group discussions revealed a relationship between violence, age, religion, poverty, lack of education, and limited access to public services. For mothers, violence is related to sadness, which affects the health and nutrition of their children.CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that children of women exposed to IPV are at greater probability of suffering from anemia. Therefore, an integral approach to IPV prevention is required, through social protection and healthcare policies for mothers and children, considering the intercultural context.

AB - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe intimate partner violence in Indigenous women and assess its association with stunting and anemia among children less than five years of age in Chimborazo, Ecuador.METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods research design with two components: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 317 children under 5 years of age and their mothers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on Spousal Index Abuse, family socioeconomic characteristics, and alcohol consumption. Data on children's anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin were quantified. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regressions were performed to determine the association of stunting and anemia with intimate partner violence. Additionally, a qualitative study was conducted with focus groups in 28 indigenous women from rural communities in Chimborazo.RESULTS: 31.5% (n = 100) of women were exposed to nonphysical IPV and 18% (n = 57) to physical IPV. Spousal alcohol consumption frequency of twice a month or more was associated with a probability 4.2 times greater of being a victim of IPV (95% CI 1.14-12.6). Physical and non-physical IPV was 2.71 (95% CI 1.36-5.39) and 3.48 times (95% CI 1.4-8.6) more prevalent in households without drinking water supply or sewerage network, respectively. There was not a statistically significant association between IPV and stunting in children. Maternal physical and nonphysical IPV was associated with a higher prevalence of anemia, 2.1 times higher for physical (95% CI 1.8-5.0) and 2.6 for nonphysical IPV (95% CI 1.1-5.8). The focus group discussions revealed a relationship between violence, age, religion, poverty, lack of education, and limited access to public services. For mothers, violence is related to sadness, which affects the health and nutrition of their children.CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that children of women exposed to IPV are at greater probability of suffering from anemia. Therefore, an integral approach to IPV prevention is required, through social protection and healthcare policies for mothers and children, considering the intercultural context.

KW - Anemia

KW - Health determinants

KW - Intimate partner violence

KW - Latin America

KW - Mixed approach

KW - Stunting

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105015980975

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/7315a803-7b6f-3add-bf00-c245b6d9e173/

U2 - 10.1007/s10995-025-04117-3

DO - 10.1007/s10995-025-04117-3

M3 - Article

C2 - 40580271

SN - 1092-7875

VL - 29

SP - 932

EP - 947

JO - Maternal and Child Health Journal

JF - Maternal and Child Health Journal

IS - 7

ER -

Intimate Partner Violence against Indigenous Women and Association with Stunting and Anemia in Children: A Mixed Approach in Chimborazo-Ecuador

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Indexed Database

Publication Quartile

Keywords

Access to Document

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DETERMINANTES DE LA MALNUTRICIÓN EN MENORES DE 5 AÑOS DE LA POBLACIÓN INDÍGENA ECUATORIANA

Cite this

Intimate Partner Violence against Indigenous Women and Association with Stunting and Anemia in Children: A Mixed Approach in Chimborazo-Ecuador

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Indexed Database

Publication Quartile

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

DETERMINANTES DE LA MALNUTRICIÓN EN MENORES DE 5 AÑOS DE LA POBLACIÓN INDÍGENA ECUATORIANA

Cite this