Prevalence and predictors of intimate partner violence among women living in informal settlements in Iringa Tanzania: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an urgent public problem that is neglected in women’s health, especially in urban slums in Tanzania and worldwide. This study seeks to investigate factors associated with IPV in a sample of women aged 15-49 years living in urban informal settlements of Iringa municipality, Tanzania. This was a cross-sectional study that used a survey to collect data from 300 women living in informal settlements of Iringa. The study findings showed that there is a prevalence of IPV among women living in informal settlements, and the most abused women were young women. Moreover, married women were found to be more abused compared to others. Additionally, incomplete primary school education, being a businessperson, customary marriage: these were associated with IPV incidences in many times compared to other groups of participants. ‘Threatened to be divorced’ was the most experienced sexual abuse among women. ‘Being a civil servant’ was associated with being abused emotionally among women. From the study findings, there should be a program promoting awareness of IPV and steps to be taken when faced with the situation. Health policy-makers should also plan for possible interventions on the prevention of IPV, including the provision of education on impacts of IPV and measures to be taken in cases of IPV incidences.