Investigator(s)
| Submitter |
Tashi Tshomo School of Public Health and Social work Queensland University of Technology Tashi Tshomo 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Tashi Tshomo HDR student School of Public Health and Social work Queensland University of Technology Tashi Tshomo
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Jerico Pardosi Sr.Lecturer School of Public Health and Social Work Faculty of Health Queensland University of Technology Jerico Pardosi
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Darren Wraith Associate Professor School of Public Health and Social Work Faculty of Health Queensland University of Technology Darren Wraith
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Women's intimate partner violence experience and family planning outcomes in Bhutan |
| Public title | Women's intimate partner violence experience and family planning outcomes in Bhutan |
| Background | In Bhutan, violence against women and girls remains a significant concern despite policy and legislative advancement. In 2023, 43.9% of women aged 15-64 thought a man was justified in hitting his wife, 24.9% of women experienced lifetime IPV and 10.8% experienced IPV in the last 12 months and 39.7% of them faced physical, sexual emotional controlling or economic violence in their lifetime(Ministry of Health, 2024). Relating to the modern contraception prevalence rate(mCPR), the evidence has shown a minimum increase from 65.6% in 2010 to 70.1% in 2023 (National Statistics Bureau, 2011). Notably, existing studies on the intersection of IPV and FP outcomes in Bhutan are scarce with the existing research primarily focusing on IPV and FP in isolation(N. Dorji et al., 2022; T. Dorji et al., 2022; Halani et al., 2017; Norbu & Zam, 2021; Pem et al., 2018; Phuntsho et al., 2022; Sonnenberg et al., 2022). In addition, few available studies in Southeast Asia and Bhutan, provide inconsistent findings between IPV and selected FP outcomes like contraception, unmet need and contraceptive type (Ang & Lai, 2023; Dasgupta et al., 2018; Hoo & Lai, 2022; Shrestha et al., 2022). Thus, this study will analyse quantitative data from the 2012 and 2023 National Health Surveys (NHS) to offer insights into the experiences faced by Bhutanese women, which might potentially fill gaps in the existing literature and provide lessons applicable to similar contexts globally. It will also compare two survey points which was not explored in previous studies. The findings are also expected to generate evidence to recommend specific strategies that may improve overall reproductive health status and reduce IPV in Bhutan. |
| Objectives | To explore if women’s IPV experience affect family planning outcomes and its contributing factors in Bhutan. • To find if there are differences in women’s IPV experience and family planning outcomes between 2012 and 2023 in Bhutan and the possible contributing factors to these differences. |
| Study Methods | The proposed study will analyse data from the latest NHS 2023 and 2012 on IPV and family planning outcomes in Bhutan. The research design will be a descriptive cross-sectional design to analyse data from these two survey points. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | Analysis will be carried out to examine the associations between IPV (attitude and experience of physical, sexual and psychological violence and family planning outcomes (use of contraceptive, types of contraceptive method use, discontinuation, if last pregnancy was planned, ideal no of children, no of living children, pregnancy interval, parity, plan for future pregnancy, the desired number of children). Analysis will be conducted using the statistical software Jamovi to explore differential effects on IPV and family planning outcomes by sociodemographic factors. Lastly, an analysis will compare differences or changes in associations between the 2012 and 2023 survey points. |
| Keywords | women, gender based violence, contraception, unmet need |
Research Details
| Student research | Yes |
| Institution: Queensland University of Technology | |
| Academic degree: Master | |
| Supervisor of the student(s) | |
| Full Name and title: Jerico Pardosi and Darren Wraith | |
| Email: jerico.pardosi@qut.edu.au and d.wraith@qut.edu.au | |
| Start Date | 19-Feb-2024 |
| End Date | 19-Feb-2026 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Queensland University of Technology |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | Yes |
| Research Domain(s) | Maternal, Reproductive and Child Health |
| Research field(s) | Family Planning |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Other (Secondary data analysis) | |
| Data Collection | Secondary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | No |