Magnitude and correlates of gender-based violence among married women in Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major public health and human rights problem with multiple sexual and reproductive health complications worldwide. This study was conducted to assess the magnitude of gender-based violence and its associated factors among married women in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2015 using the World Health Organization multi-country y questionnaire to measure violence against women. Trained data collectors interviewed 832 married women were selected by systematic c random sampling technique. Epi info version 6.0 for data entry and SPSS version 20 for analysis were used. Data were principally analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression. Results: Six hundred and twenty (74.5%; 95%CI: 71.5%-77. 3 %) of the married women had experienced at least one type of GBV in their lifetime and 41.8% (95%CI: 38.3%-45.1%) in the last 12 months. GBV included psychological violence in a life time 62.3% and in the last 12 months 35.6%; physical violence in life time 56.1%and in the last 12 months 27.9%; and sexual violence in life time 30.6%, and in the last 12 months 15.5% were reported. Older women those in multiple sexual partnership or union, stayed in relationship or in union with their husband for < 1 Oscars, age dilTercnce with their current husband of >5years, early child marriage, outcry of sexual intercourse for monetary gains or for business purpose and alcohol intake were factors associated with an increased risk of gender based violence. Conclusions: Gender-based violence was found to be high and a serious problem among married women in Northwest Ethiopia. Comprehensive community based health education program and strengthening of women empowerment arc necessary to improve this situation. Keywords: Gender-based violence, married women