PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN TOCHA DISTRICT, DAWURO ZONE, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence is a serious human r ights violation and global public health problem. Physical violence is the most commo n, affecting 30% of women worldwide and yet under estimated social and health problem. This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence, and associated factors of intimate partner physical violence against women in south Western Ethiopia. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess prevalence and associated factors of intimate partner physical violence against women 15-49 years in Tocha woreda, Dawuro Zone, SNNPR, South west Ethiopia Method: A cross-sectional, community based study was conducted from January to February 2015. A multistage sampling method was employed. Data were entered using Epi-info version 3.5.1 and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version (SPSS) 20.0. The analysis was focus on life time and current (past 12 months) prevalence of intimate partner physical violence against women and the association of selected potential factors. Data was analyzed using logistic regression. The summary results of data were presented descriptively by frequency tables and analytically presented by crude odds ratio, adjusted odds ratio and confidence interval. Results: The life time and past 12 months prevalence of intimate partner physical violence against women were 49.6% and 43.4% respectively. Partner heavy (f requent) alcohol use (AOR 2.234, 95% CI 1.282-3.891), husband beliefs on dominance (AOR 2.664; 95%CI: 1.697-4.182), polygamy (AOR 3.267, 95%CI 1.985 –5.377), marriage by abduction (AOR 2.808, 95%CI 1.238-6.371) and being orthodox (AOR 8.453; 95%CI 4.453 to 16.047) were significant factors associated with intimate partner physical violence against women. Conclusion: Half of women have experienced at least one incident of intimate physical violence in their lifetime. Multifaceted interventions such as educating partner on effect of heavy alcohol use, increasing public awareness on gender equality and addressing gender norms and attitude to reduce marriage by abduction and marriage to polygamous will help to reduce violence.