Multilevel analysis of intimate partner violence and associated factors among pregnant women in East Africa: Evidence from recent (2012–2018) demographic and health surveys

Abstract

Background Globally, intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is the most common and major public health problem. It has a negative effect on the lives of both mother and fetus. Despite its prominence, many countries in East Africa have paid little attention to this issue. This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of intimate partner violence among pregnant women in East African countries. Methods The study adopted a secondary method data analysis that utilized recent Demographic and Health Surveys of 10 countries in East Africa between 2012 and 2018. A total of 23,521 women who gave birth in the 5 years preceding the survey were included. A multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with IPV. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 were declared as significant factors associated with IPV. Results The overall prevalence of IPV in East Africa was 37.14 (95% CI 36.53, 37.76). Women with age 25–34 (AOR = 1.20;95%CI; 1.06, 1.36), 35–39 (AOR = 1.40;95%CI; 1.24, 1.58), and 40–49 (AOR = 1.66;95%CI; 1.43, 1.95), women with no education (AOR = 1.27;95%CI; 1.16, 1.39), women with no occupation (AOR = 1.36; 95%CI; 1.27, 1.47), women from households with the poorest (AOR = 1.51; 95%CI: 1.33, 1.71), poorer (AOR = 1.40;95% CI:1.24, 1.58), middle (AOR = 1.32;95%CI:1.17, 1.48), and richer (AOR = 1.26;95%CI: 1.13, 1.40), husband drinks alcohol (AOR = 2.54; 95%CI 2.39, 2.71), ≥ 5 number of living children (AOR = 1.28; 95%CI: 1.31, 2.57) and rural areas (AOR = 1.14; 95%CI: 1.03, 1.25) were significantly associated with IPV. Conclusion More than one-third of pregnant women experienced intimate partner violence in East Africa. Promoting the educational status of women, the economic capacity of women, and the healthy behavior of the husband by reducing alcohol consumption, with particular attention to rural women and violence during pregnancy, is vital to reduce the prevalence of IPV.

Multilevel analysis of intimate partner violence and associated factors among reproductive-age women: Kenya demographic and health survey 2022 data

“…Sub-Saharan Africa has a disproportionately high percentage of women experiencing intimate partner violence with an overall rate of 36% compared to the global average of 30% [ 7 ]. Despite the dearth of research on intimate partner violence in Africa, what is known indicates that of women who have ever been in a relationship, 37.14% of them had suffered IPV at some point in their lives as this study was conducted in 2023 [ 12 ]. The prevalence of intimate partner violence was 28.74% in Ethiopia conducted in 2022 [ 13 ].…”