article · BMC Public Health
An analysis of national demographic and health survey data from Zimbabwe highlights the prevalence and key drivers of domestic violence among married women aged 15 to 49. Among 4,472 surveyed women, 42.7 percent reported having experienced physical, emotional, or sexual violence. Factors increasing the likelihood of domestic violence include alcohol consumption by either the woman or her partner, polygamous marriages, and having five or more children. In addition, women who work and those whose partners witnessed their fathers abusing their mothers face heightened risks. Conversely, older age between 40 and 49 acts as a protective factor against domestic abuse. These findings demonstrate that domestic violence remains a widespread challenge that requires targeted, rigorous policy interventions to protect women.
Domestic violence impairs health, violates human rights, and limits the ability of women to realise their potential. Identifying clear risk factors, such as intergenerational violence and substance use, helps public health authorities and social development organisations direct interventions, support programmes, and protective policies to the families and communities that face the greatest risk.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
BACKGROUND: Domestic violence does not only violate women's fundamental human rights but it also undermines them from achieving their fullest potential around the world. This study was conducted to assess trends and factors associated with domestic violence among married women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study which used secondary data obtained from 2005/06, 2010/11 and 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Surveys (ZDHS). Respondents ranged from married or living with a partner (15-49 years). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with domestic violence. RESULTS: Out of 4472 women who were currently married, 1907 (42.7%) had ever experienced one form of domestic violence (physical, emotional and sexual violence). Women aged 40-49 was deemed a protective factor against domestic violence. Risk of domestic violence was higher among working women than unemployed women [AOR = 1.35; p ≤ 0.047]. Women who drink alcohol significantly risk experiencing domestic violence compared to their non-drinking counterpart; also women whose husbands drink alcohol were at higher risk of experiencing domestic violence [AOR = 1.35; p ≤ 0.001]. Domestic violence was higher among women whose husbands have ever experienced their fathers beating their mothers and significant for women whose husbands have more than one wife (polygamy) [AOR = 1.35; p ≤ 0.001]. High parity (5 or more children) was also a risk factor for domestic violence among the studied population [AOR = 1.35; p ≤ 0.038]. CONCLUSION: Domestic violence was found to be strongly associated with women whose husbands drink alcohol, products of abusive parents/father beating their mother and/or polygamous marriage (had more than one wife). Domestic violence still remains a challenge and a more biting policy efforts are needed to eradicate this public health canker in Zimbabwe.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-8447-9
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
