Help-Seeking Behavior and Its Associated Factors Among 18– 24 years Victims of Intimate Partner Violence in Kenya: Insights from a Respondent-Driven Survey

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive issue with significant mental health implications. Understanding the factors that influence help-seeking behavior among IPV survivors is crucial for developing effective interventions.

This study aims to identify the demographic, educational, behavioral, mental health, and social network characteristics associated with help-seeking behavior among IPV survivors aged between 18-24 years.

This was a cross-sectional respondent-driven survey conducted within three cities of Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nairobi in Kenya among individuals aged 18-24 years. Data was analyzed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with help-seeking behavior.

Data was analyzed from 351 (58% females) participants who were exposed to IPV. Residency, educational attainment, mental health status, social networks, and health status significantly impact the likelihood of seeking help (p < .05).

The study highlights the complex interplay of various factors influencing help-seeking behavior among IPV survivors. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions that address specific barriers and facilitators of help-seeking behavior, particularly in urban settings. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement We acknowledge the university of Maryland Global Centre for Engagement (Presidential Global Impact Fund (PGIMF) which birthed this collaborative work. We are grateful to all the participants in this study. In addition, we thank the HIV Intervention Science Training Program (HISTP). This NIMH-funded multidisciplinary training program form Columbia school of social work that seeks to develop and facilitate the growth of scientists from under-represented groups conduction HIV-related dissemination and implementation research to support Prof. Memiah Peter in this study. Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Not Applicable The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Approval for this study was obtained from both the Ethics and Scientific Review Committee of Amref Health Africa in Kenya and the Institutional Review Board of the University of West Florida. All ethical procedures were conducted and maintained throughout the study period. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Not Applicable I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Not Applicable I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Not Applicable Data availability statement The datasets presented in this study can be availed on request.