Correlates of Domestic Violence against Women in Bahr Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

In many developing countries, domestic violence has recently become not only human rights or public health concern but also a development issue. Studies suggest that Ethiopia has the highest prevalence of domestic violence against women. However, evidence from representative, population-based studies is limited and the factors that contribute to this high level of domestic violence are not well documented. This study, using data collected from a sample of married women aged 15-49, attempted to identify the correlates of domestic violence against women in Bahr Dar, the capital city of Amhara Region. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used in the data analysis. Findings show that a high proportion of the study population experienced recent threats or physical abuse (58%) and that more than 60% of these women reported three or more specific acts of violence over a period of 12 months. Respondents' age, duration of current marriage, number of children greater than four, household size, education, type of marriage arrangement, type of family, and husbands' alcohol drinking habit emerged as powerful risk factors for domestic violence against women. While age at marriage, work status, attitude towards gender roles and decision making in the conjugal household and respondents' experience of fathers beating mothers were found to be weak predictors of violence against women. Eliminating harmful practices such as arranged marriage or marriage by force, enhancing female education, and improving gender equity are suggested as possible interventions for reducing the prevalence of domestic violence against women.

Keywords: intimate partner; women; risk factors; alcohol drinking; police

Ethiopian Journal of Development Research Vol. 28 (2) 2006: pp. 31-62