Intimate Partner Violence Against Myanmar Women Migrant Workers in Thailand: An Application of the World Health Organization's Ecological Framework

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women migrant workers is a globally significant public health problem. This study examined the prevalence and predictors of IPV among 639 Myanmar women migrants in central, northern, western, and southern Thailand, applying the World Health Organization's (WHO) ecological framework and utilizing the WHO Violence Against Women questionnaire. The lifetime prevalence of IPV was 60.09%, with psychological violence being the most common form (54.93%). Multiple logistic regression revealed significant predictors: women's alcohol consumption and childhood exposure to violence (individual level); partner's low educational attainment and alcohol use (relationship level); and area of residence (Bangkok/Surat Thani) and exposure to community violence (community level). Policies and interventions should prioritize high-risk groups based on these predictors to effectively prevent and respond to IPV among women migrant workers in Thailand.