Prevalence of intimate partner violence against women and associated factors in Ethiopia

Violence against women is a major public health problem that affects the physical, sexual, mental, and social wellbeing of more than one third of all women globally. Violence against women in Ethiopia is widely acknowledged to be of great concern from human rights, economic and health perspective. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women and associated factors in Ethiopia.

The data was obtained from 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey which is the fourth survey conducted in Ethiopia as part of the worldwide project. The sample was selected using a stratified; two-stage cluster sampling design and the data was analyzed using logistic regression model.

A total of 4714 ever-married women in reproductive age who reported their experience of spousal violence were considered from nine regional states and two city administratives. Over 30% of study participants were subjected to IPV. Living in rural areas, divorced, primary and secondary education, 25-39 years old, being poor are found to be predictors of IPV against women in Ethiopia.

The prevalence of IPV was found high in Ethiopia and government and any concerned bodies should design appropriate strategy and work hard to tackle the problem. There is a need of giving special attention for women living in rural area, women from poor family and 25-39 years old women to decrease the burden of IPV.