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J Res Health Sci. 2025;25(4): e00663.
doi: 10.34172/jrhs.9086
  Abstract View: 205
  PDF Download: 49

Original Article

The Role of Marital Status in Sexual Violence Against Women Among Ghanaian Couples: Evidence From the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey

Leny Latifah 1* ORCID logo, Agung Dwi Laksono 1,2, Marizka Khairunnisa 1, Diah Yunitawati 1, Sri Handayani 1

1 National Research and Innovation Agency, Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
2 Persakmi Institute, Surabaya, Indonesia
*Corresponding Author: Leny Latifah, Email: leny.latifah@brin.go.id

Abstract

Background: Cohabitation is vulnerable from a legal perspective. However, legal marriage does not exempt women from experiencing sexual abuse, while marriage is often misused as a justification. This study aimed to examine the impact of marital status on the incidence of sexual violence against women within couples.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: The secondary analysis examined the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, which included data from 8811 respondents. The study used sexual violence and marital status as outcome and exposure variables, respectively. Meanwhile, five control variables, including age, marital status, education, employment, wealth, and recent sexual activity, were analyzed in this study. Finally, the results were analyzed by binary logistic regression (P<0.05) using SPSS 21.

Results: Sexual violence was reported by 5.3% of women living with a partner and 2.6% of married women (P<0.001). Based on marital status, women in a cohabitation relationship were 1.57 times more likely to experience sexual violence than married ones (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.857, 95% confidence interval: 1.857–1.858). Several factors were also significantly associated with increased risk of sexual violence, including urban residence (AOR: 1.139), younger age (e.g., 20–24 years: AOR: 1.766), lower education/no education (AOR: 2.045), unemployment (AOR: 1.415), lack of pregnancy (AOR: 1.221), recent sexual activity (AOR: 1.266), and women in middle-income and richer groups (AOR: 1.175 and AOR: 1.414).

Conclusion: The evaluation revealed that marital status was related to sexual violence against women among Ghanaian couples. Women living in cohabitation with a partner were more likely to experience sexual violence than married women.



Please cite this article as follows: Latifah L, Laksono AD, Khairunnisa M, Yunitawati D, Handayani S. The role of marital status in sexual violence against women among Ghanaian couples: evidence from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. J Res Health Sci. 2025; 25(4):e00663. doi:10.34172/jrhs.9086
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Submitted: 04 Mar 2025
Revision: 10 May 2025
Accepted: 17 Jun 2025
ePublished: 15 Sep 2025
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