Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
Importance: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a persistent global public health concern with lasting impacts on the health of affected women and their children. Although previous studies suggest a potential link between IPV and mortality among children younger than 5 years (under-5 mortality [U5M]), the evidence remains inconclusive.
Objective: To examine whether different forms of IPV are associated with under-5, infant, and neonatal mortality.
Data Sources: Seven databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL) were searched from database inception to April 22, 2026.
Study Selection: Studies were included if they examined the association between forms of IPV (any IPV or subtypes such as physical, sexual, emotional violence, or partner control behavior) and under-5, infant, and neonatal mortality. Two reviewers independently conducted study selection.
Data Extraction and Synthesis: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guideline was followed. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Exposures tool. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.
Results: Twenty-eight studies comprising 684 065 participants were included in the systematic review, of which 25 were included in the meta-analyses. IPV was associated with higher odds of U5M (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.16), infant mortality (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.11-1.57), and neonatal mortality (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.19-1.55). Physical IPV (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.17-1.61), sexual IPV (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.33-2.17), and emotional IPV (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.07-1.56) were associated with higher odds of neonatal mortality. Physical IPV was also associated with higher odds of infant mortality (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01-1.44). No statistically significant associations were observed between IPV subtypes and U5M.
Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, IPV against women was associated with higher odds of under-5, infant, and neonatal mortality. These findings suggest the importance of addressing IPV within child health strategies.
Keywords
intimate partner violence, child mortality, neonatal mortality, infant mortality, maternal health, systematic review
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
9-2-2026
Article Number
e2631794
E-ISSN
25743805
Volume
9
Issue
9
PubMed ID
42684698
Publication Title
JAMA Network Open
Publisher
American Medical Association
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery / Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funding Information
Dr Tessema was supported by the Investigator Grant (No.1195716) and the Western Australia Future Health Research and Innovation Fund through an Emerging Leaders Fellowship (WANMAEL2024-25/22). Professor Pereira received funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (No.1099655 and No.1173991). Dr Gebremedhin was supported by the Western Australian Future Health Research and Innovation Fund through an Emerging Leaders Fellowship (WANMA/EL2023-24/7), a WANMA Ideas Grant (WANMA/Ideas2023-24/10), and the Edith Cowan Unviersity Vice-Chancellor Research Fellowship. Drs Roy, Tessema, Makate, and Hendriks were supported by the Curtin School of Population Health Incentive Scheme 2023.
Funding received from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
1099655, 1173991
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Kefale, B., Roy, A., Belay, D. G., Mengistu, T. S., Dunne, J., Nyadanu, S. D., Gebremedhin, A. T., Makate, M., Hendriks, J., Pereira, G., & Tessema, G. A. (2026). Intimate partner violence against women and mortality among children younger than 5 years. JAMA Network Open, 9(9), e2631794. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.31794