Hotspot Clustering and Geographically Weighted Regression Analysis of Domestic Violence in Northeast India
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Abstract
Domestic violence (DV) is now widely recognized as a severe public health problem owing to its health consequences. India has high prevalence rates of physical, sexual, and emotional violence against spouses (28%, 14%, and 6%, respectively). The study uses data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) to analyze the spatial distribution of different forms of DV in Northeast India. Bivariate analysis, ordinary least squares (OLS), and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were employed for data analysis. Domestic violence in Northeast India stands at 31.3%, with Manipur at 41.5%, followed by Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Hailakandi in Assam (64.7%) and Bishnupur in Manipur (59.9%) have the highest rates. The local R2 values for domestic violence were notably higher in the southern and eastern regions of the northeast States. Specifically, in the southeastern districts of Nagaland, these values ranged between 0.65 and 0.70. Regional disparities were evident in the prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual violence, with Manipur, Assam, and specific districts in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland frequently highlighted as hotspots. The results highlight the necessity of region-specific strategies and focused interventions to effectively address and prevent DV throughout the Northeast. Prioritizing the mitigation of significant risk factors for DV in hotspot regions should be the government’s top priority.
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