Justin Dansou

La violence émotionnelle conjugale représente une forme insidieuse de maltraitance aux conséquences psychologiques profondes, souvent sous-déclarée et peu étudiée au Bénin. Cette recherche s’appuie sur les données de l’Enquête Démographique et de Santé du Bénin (EDS 2017–2018) et analyse les facteurs sociodémographiques associés à l’exposition à cette forme de violence chez 4 185 femmes en union âgées de 15 à 49 ans. Les résultats révèlent une prévalence nationale de 36,6 %, avec une vulnérabilité accrue chez les femmes âgées de 25 à 49 ans, notamment celles de 30–34 ans. Le niveau d’instruction apparaît comme un facteur protecteur, les femmes ayant atteint le secondaire ou plus étant moins exposées. En revanche, l’absence d’activité professionnelle, le milieu rural, la taille élevée du ménage et l’appartenance à une religion endogène sont associés à une probabilité plus forte de subir des violences émotionnelles. Des disparités territoriales marquées sont observées : le département du Plateau présente un risque significativement plus élevé, tandis que le Couffo affiche une prévalence plus faible. Ces résultats soulignent le caractère multidimensionnel du phénomène et appellent à des interventions ciblées, fondées sur l’éducation, l’autonomisation économique des femmes et une approche territorialisée de la prévention des violences basées sur le genre.

Despite global commitment and investment in improving maternal and child health, inequities in antenatal care (ANC) persist, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but evidence on variations in ANC initiation at the global SSA level is limited. This study analyzed variations in ANC initiation and examined the associated factors among women of reproductive age in SSA. The data were drawn from the most recent Demographic and Health Survey conducted between 2007 and 2019 in thirty-six (36) countries. The analytical sample consisted of 123,134 women who had births in the two years preceding the survey and made at least one ANC visit during the index pregnancy. The association between the timing of ANC initiation and each independent variable was examined using the Pearson chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier survivor curves were generated to examine the extent to which ANC initiation occurred over time. Event history analysis models were specified using the discrete-time logit function to examine the unadjusted and adjusted effects of each covariate on ANC initiation. The results indicate that only 36.9% of the women initiated ANC within the first trimester during the index pregnancy and a little less than 1 in 10 (8.2%) did not initiate ANC until the third trimester. The country-specific results show wide variations in the initiation of ANC. For example, ANC initiation in the first month of pregnancy was least common in Niger (0.2%) and most common in Liberia (16.6%). The time to initiation of ANC visits at any time interval was greater for women in rural areas, those with no education or primary education and women who had no exposure to mass media. Among several covariates, increased involvement of females in household decision-making and household wealth status were found to be associated with ANC initiation. Women who participated in making three and four household decisions were more likely to initiate ANC (aOR = 1.02, p < 0.05 and 1.03, p < 0.01 respectively) compared to women who did not participate in household decision-making. Women who belonged to higher wealth status categories showed higher odds of ANC initiation compared to those in the poorest category. The findings of the present study indicate that early initiation and universal coverage of ANC among women of reproductive age in SSA continues to be a challenge. Policies that target female education up to at least the secondary level and interventions that improve the socioeconomic status of women can empower women to make decisions for themselves, which could increase the chances of early and timely ANC initiation.

Major changes have been observed in recent decades both in the mode of union formation and in the stability of conjugal unions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although these changes are known to vary in intensity across countries, variations across ethnical groups within countries are still not well studied. The present study investigates ethnic variations in the dissolution of first union in Senegal, focusing on five ethnic groups: Lebou, Peuhl, Sereer, Toucouleur and Wolof. It attempts to examine the specific effect of ethnicity and to identify underlying mechanisms of action of ethnic variations in union dissolution among men and women. The study uses data from a biographical survey on “vulnerabilities and chronic poverty” in Senegal (2008-2009) and event history analysis techniques. Kaplan-Meier survivor functions were used to explore bivariate relationships and Cox semi-parametric hazard model for multivariate analysis. Results showed that ethnic differences in the hazard of union dissolution become apparent only after controlling for the effects of cumulated fertility, education and birth cohort highlighting the persistence of cultural differences between ethnic groups that cannot be explained by only standard sociological and demographic variables. Ethnicity practices continue to shape marital outcomes in Senegal, especially after controlling for other covariates. This study suggests the need for large-scale and more detailed data covering all Senegalese ethnic groups for a better understanding of the complexity and the persistence of domestic and matrimonial customs and traditions in matrimonial relationships.

Background: Despite the increasing interest in improving access to and utilization of family planning (FP) methods, contraceptives prevalence rates remain low in Benin, and its benefits are not well studied. This study projected FP’s benefits for maternal health and child survival over the Sustainable Development Goals period. Methods: The Demographic Dividend Model created by the Health Policy Project using a large range of data was applied based exclusively on assumptions on FP policy options between 2015 and 2030. Results: It was found that, under the base scenario with no improvements in FP, education and economic variables, however unrealistic, the number of children per Beninese woman would be the same in 2030 as it was in 2015 – about 4.5 children per woman. Benin’s age structure would remain very young and be dominated by dependents. But, FP–scenarios of improvements in contraceptive variables alone showed a negative and linear relationship between FP use and maternal and child deaths. Under the optimistic scenario, increasing access to and use of FP alone from 7.9% (2015) to 33.95% (2030) will save lives of about 200,000 under five year children and 10,000 mothers by 2030. In addition, the average number of children per woman will fall to 3.5 increasing female life expectancy by 5 years. Benin’s age structure will be balanced with more working age people. The country will also record an increase in its human development indicator. Conclusion: To accelerate progresses towards improvement of maternal health and child survival, and get on track in meeting related health targets of SDGs, the present study revealed the importance of strengthening actions toward access to and use of FP in Benin Republic. There is also a need to strengthen education and economic policies to successfully harness the demographic dividend.