Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence in Tanzania: Evidence from the National Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) against ever married women in Tanzania remains high. This has an implication on development at both micro and macro level given the resulting socio-economic costs relating to IPV. It is for this reason that the present study intended to examine determinants of IPV among married women in Tanzania. Determinants are estimated by analysing the 2015/16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) data using logistic regression. Results show that risk factors which are positively associating with IPV include male partner alcohol abuse, history of domestic violence in childhood, years in marriage, polygamy marriage and household size. Meanwhile, deterrent factors comprise of the age of married women and male partner’s education. Furthermore, results indicate varied determinants of different forms of IPV across different zone in Tanzania. It is against this backdrop that we recommend for policies that ensure both women and men have equal access to quality education; amendments of relevant laws as well as raising IPV awareness using zone-specific determinants to discourage cultural norms that condone IPV.