Shedding light on hidden dynamics: partner controlling behavior and women's alcohol consumption in Ghana

Background While existing literature suggests a link between alcohol intake and the perpetuation of controlling behaviors, reverse association is yet to be established. Therefore, our study aims to extend the current understanding of the determinants of alcohol consumption among women in Ghana by investigating the association between partner controlling behavior and women's past month's alcohol consumption. Methods The study relied on data from the 2022 Ghana demographic and health survey. Analysis was based on observations from 5137 women with complete information on partner controlling behavior and past month alcohol consumption. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were computed. All analyses were executed in STATA version 18. Results About 15.05% of women consumed alcohol; 37.31% of the respondents had partners who exhibited controlling behaviors. Women who reported experiencing partner controlling behaviors were 1.19 times more likely to engage in alcohol consumption compared to those who did not report such behaviors (AOR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.01-1.41). Additionally, the study identified other significant predictors of alcohol consumption among women, including experiences of sexual violation (AOR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.21-2.15) and richer wealth (AOR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.59-0.97). Conclusion In conclusion, experiencing partner controlling behavior is associated with higher risk of alcohol consumption. Thus, underscoring the importance of addressing not only individual-level factors but also relational dynamics in understanding and addressing alcohol intake among women. Policy makers and program implementers must prioritize interventions aimed at promoting healthy relationship dynamics and addressing gender-based power imbalances. Furthermore, healthcare providers should be trained recognize and address partner controlling behaviors and sexual violence as part of comprehensive interventions for reducing alcohol consumption among women. Keywords: Controlling behavior, Alcohol consumption, Cross-sectional, Public health