RESUMEN
The aim of the current analysis is to elucidate the link between childhood experiences of violence and physical intimate partner violence in young adulthood in a national survey of young Kenyan women. In 2010, we conducted the Violence against Children Survey in Kenya, collecting retrospective reports from 13 to 24â¯year old males and females (Nâ¯=â¯2928). The analysis presented here focused on females aged 18-24 who ever had an intimate partner (nâ¯=â¯566). Young Kenyan women had statistically higher odds of experiencing physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in young adulthood if they had experienced any childhood violence (including sexual, emotional, or physical) [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)â¯=â¯3.1 CI: 1.2-7.9, pâ¯=â¯0.02)], any childhood sexual violence (AORâ¯=â¯2.5, CI 1.3-4.9, pâ¯=â¯0.006), or unwanted completed sex (including pressured or forced sex prior to age 18) (AORâ¯=â¯4.3, CI: 2.3-8.3, pâ¯<â¯0.0001). Exposure to two (AORâ¯=â¯3.9, CI: 1.2-12.2, pâ¯=â¯0.02) or three (AORâ¯=â¯5.0, CI: 1.4-18.1, pâ¯=â¯0.01) types of violence in childhood was also associated with a significantly higher odds of experiencing adult physical IPV. Childhood violence is associated with increased odds of adult physical IPV among young women; efforts to prevent violence against children and provide appropriate care and support to adult survivors are critical to interrupt this cycle of violence.