This paper examines controlling male partner behaviour and its relation
to physical and sexual violence in the northern region of Ghana.
Controlling behaviours were conceptualized as part of the continuum of
intimate partner violence against women. This domain of domestic
violence has received little attention in West Africa. A sample of 443
women between the ages of 19 and 49 years recruited at district health
facilities across the region was used for the study. Participants, 46% of
whom came from rural areas, were visiting these facilities for various
healthcare needs. Data were collected using a structured instrument.
Descriptive statistics showed that: 79% of participants had experienced
past-year controlling behaviour; 27% reported past-year physical
violence; and 34% reported past-year sexual violence. Further, multivariate
analysis indicated that physical and sexual violence were
significantly related to male controlling behaviours. Given its high
prevalence rate, there is need for more attention to men’s controlling
behaviours in the continuum of men’s intimate partner violence. Policy
and practice implications of the results are discussed.