THE PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN TANZANIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE 2022 TANZANIA DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY AND MALARIA INDICATOR SURVEY (2022-TDHS-MIS)

Abstract Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a critical public health and human rights issue that affect almost 30% of women and threatens maternal and fetal health among pregnant women. Despite the recognized burden of IPV in Tanzania, the prevalence and determinants among pregnant women need to be well identified using the national representative data. Objective This study aimed to determine the forms, prevalence, and factors associated with intimate partner violence among pregnant women in Tanzania using the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (TDHS–MIS) data. Methods A cross-sectional study analyzed secondary data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey (TDHS–MIS) on intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant women aged 15 – 49 years. A total of 435 pregnant women who responded to the IPV module were included. Weighted descriptive statistics estimated prevalence and forms of IPV, while modified Poisson regression determined factors associated with IPV. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results The overall prevalence of IPV among pregnant women was 27.46% (95% CI: 22.94–32.50). Emotional violence was most common (25.26%), followed by sexual (11.04%) and physical (11.01%) violence. IPV prevalence was highest in Mara (60.3%), Songwe (50.1%), and Singida (39.0%) regions. Factors independently associated with IPV included partner alcohol use (APR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.50–4.31), partner having other wives (APR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.11–2.87), and union duration of 5–9 years (APR = 2.65; 95% CI: 1.14–6.18). Having a marriage certificate (APR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28–0.92) and one child (APR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.17–0.95) were protective. Conclusions IPV affects more than one in four pregnant women in Tanzania, with emotional abuse being predominant. Partner alcohol use, polygamy, and longer union duration heighten IPV risk. Integrating IPV screening and counseling into antenatal care and implementing behavior change interventions for partners could reduce the burden of violence during pregnancy.