Impulsivity, Aggression, and Other Associated Factors on Intimate Partner Violence among Men in Dodoma Region, Central Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a pervasive global public health, social policy, and human rights concern. While IPV is a widely recognized issue in Tanzania, with estimates of prevalence ranging from 12% to over 60%, the nuances of male perpetration and experience, particularly concerning factors like impulsivity and aggression, remain underexplored. This study, aimed to assess the impulsivity, aggression, and other associated factors of IPV among men Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Dodoma Region, central Tanzania. Eligible male participants were recruited through random sampling technique. Data management and analysis were performed using Stata 18. Descriptive statistics and Generalized Poisson regression model was used to identify factors associated with IPV. Prevalence ratio and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated. Results: The overall prevalence of IPV among men was 28.4%, with 14.1% experiencing sexual violence, 21.4% emotional violence, and 13.4% physical violence. In the adjusted regression model, compared to employed men, unemployed men were more likely to experience IPV (APR=1.63, 95%CI:1.15-2.33). Polygamous men (APR=1.37, (95%CI: 1.04-1.81) were more likely to experience IPV than their counterparts. Men whose partners had higher impulsivity (APR=2.64, 95%CI: 1.71-4.07) and higher aggressiveness (APR=3.19, 95%CI: 2.04-5.01) were more likely to experience IPV compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: The study reveals that IPV among men is a significant concern in the Dodoma Region, with particular vulnerabilities linked to unemployment, polygamous relationships, and alcohol consumption, alongside partner impulsivity and aggressiveness. To effectively reduce IPV, future efforts should prioritize economic stability programs, culturally sensitive support for polygamous families, comprehensive alcohol abuse prevention, and skill-building initiatives for emotional regulation and conflict resolution within relationships, moving towards a more holistic and integrated approach to violence prevention.