Prevalence and factors associated with intimate partner violence among women in Tanzania: evidence from Tanzanian demographic and health survey 2022

BMC Womens Health. 2025 May 19;25(1):235. doi: 10.1186/s12905-025-03760-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a pervasive issue in Tanzania, impacting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of women across the country. Despite the existence of legal frameworks aimed at protecting women’s rights, IPV persists in Tanzania. Understanding the magnitude and factors associated with IPV among women provides valuable insights that can be used to shape policies and interventions targeted at preventing and addressing IPV in the country. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the prevalence and factors associated with IPV nationwide. Therefore, this study is timely for addressing this gap in Tanzania.

METHODS: The study used a nationally representative secondary data that employed a cross-sectional design. Data for the current study were extracted from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey for women aged 15-49 years. A weighted sample of 4503 ever married or ever partnered women aged 15-49 years was used. The outcome variable was IPV status categorized into binary responses yes/no, while independent variables were socio-demographic and health related characteristics. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models. A threshold of p-value < 0.05 was used to determine statistically significant factor. The strength of the association was assessed using the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) along with its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of IPV among women of reproductive age 15-49 years in Tanzania was 38.9%. The multivariable logistic regression results revealed that women who are working (aOR = 1.4,95%CI:1.2,1.7) and those whose husband/partner drinks alcohol (aOR = 2.9,95%CI: 2.4, 3.5) had higher odds of experiencing IPV compared to their counterparts. Conversely, protective factors include women’s secondary and higher education level (aOR = 0.7,95%CI:0.5,0.9) and residing in the Southern zones (aOR = 0.4,95%CI:1.5,3.9).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of IPV among women in Tanzania remains high compared to the global average of 30%. This was mostly associated with women’s employment status, and women married/cohabiting with alcohol consumers. The government should implement community-based educational programs to raise awareness about IPV and dedicate more efforts like raising the tax on all alcoholic beverages to controlling alcohol consumption among men as a strategy to combat IPV in society.

PMID:40390013 | DOI:10.1186/s12905-025-03760-w