Prevalence and factors related to dating violence victimization and perpetration among a representative sample of adolescents and young adults in Haiti

Background: Studies examining both victimization and perpetration of dating violence among both women and men are virtually non-existent in Haiti. This study aimed to document the prevalence and factors associated with victimization and perpetration of dating violence (DV) among adolescents and young adults aged 15-24 years in Haiti.& nbsp;Participants and setting: A total of 3586 participants (47.6% women; mean age =19.37; SD = 2.71) were sampled in the 10 geographical departments according to residence areas (urban/rural), age group (15-19/20-24 years old), and gender (men/women).& nbsp;Method: Participants completed questionnaires assessing DV victimization and perpetration, witnessing interparental violence, parental violence, violence acceptance, social desirability, and self-esteem.& nbsp;Results: Overall, 1538 participants (56% women) were in a romantic relationship in the past year. Results showed that men were more likely to experience both psychological (49.4% of women and 57% of men, X-2 = 8.17, p = .004), and physical violence (11.1% of women and 18.8% of men, X-2 = 8.13, p = .004). There were marginally significant differences for sexual violence between gender for adolescents aged 15 to 19 (26.5% of girls and 20.5% of boys, X-2 = 3.25, p = .07), and not for young adults (21.8% of women and 24.0% of men, X-2 = 0.49, p = .48). No significant difference was observed for any forms of DV perpetration. DV perpetration was positively associated with victimization (b = 0.5, p = .002), however victimization was not associated with perpetration. Results also showed different associations between violence perpetration and victimization, gender, social desirability, acceptance of violence, parental violence, and witnessing interparental violence.& nbsp;Conclusions: This study highlights avenues for prevention and intervention that must begin at an early age, engage teachers, train peer-educators, promote healthy, non-violent and egalitarian romantic relationships.