Correlates of intimate partner violence among ever-married women (25-39) years in rural Uganda

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among ever-married women in Uganda remains a critical public health and social concern, particularly in rural areas. It results in physical injuries, mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, reproductive health complications, reduced economic productivity, and negative effects on children’s well-being. Despite its significant impact on women’s lives, IPV often goes unreported, posing challenges for intervention and justice. This study analyzed the correlates of IPV among ever-married women aged 25–39 years in rural Uganda. The study used secondary data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). A weighted sample of 2,924 ever married women aged 25–39 years in rural Uganda was analyzed. Descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square tests, and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression were applied to identify the determinants of IPV. The prevalence of IPV among ever married women aged 25–39 years in rural Uganda was 41.3%. Education, wealth status, polygyny, duration of marriage, and husband’s alcohol consumption were significant predictors. Women with primary education were more likely to experience IPV compared to those with no education (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.08–1.74). Higher wealth status was protective, with women in the middle (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.59–0.95), fourth (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.60–1.03), and highest (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.31–0.72) categories less likely to experience IPV compared to those in the lowest category. Women in polygynous marriages had higher odds of IPV, particularly those with one (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.06–1.58) or two co-wives (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.14–2.28). Longer marital duration increased the likelihood of IPV, with significantly higher odds observed among those ever married for 5 years above as compared to 1–4 years. Husband’s alcohol consumption was the strongest predictor, with women whose husbands drank being more than twice as likely to experience IPV (OR = 2.60, 95% CI: 2.20–3.08). There is an urgent need for interventions to address IPV among ever-married women in rural Uganda. Efforts should focus on promoting women’s education, economic empowerment, addressing risks associated with polygyny and long marital duration, and reducing alcohol consumption among men. By targeting these factors, it is possible to reduce IPV and improve the well-being of women in this population.