Intimate partner violence against women in Ethiopia: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Teklehaimanot Gereziher Haile, Negasi Asres, Dawit Gebregziabher et al.
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In 30 seconds
This umbrella review and random-effects meta-analysis synthesized six systematic reviews and meta-analyses, covering 80 primary studies and 43,785 women in Ethiopia, to estimate intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence and identify associated predictors. Overall pooled IPV prevalence was 35% (95% CI: 28-42%), with substantial heterogeneity across reviews (I2 = 83.48%). Prevalence was 32% (95% CI: 26-37%) among pregnant women and 33% (95% CI: 25-40%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educational status, partner alcohol consumption, women’s decision-making power, substance use, and pandemic-related income loss were statistically significant predictors.
Key findings
- Overall IPV prevalence was 35% (95% CI: 28-42%) across the included evidence.
- Pooled prevalence was 18% (95% CI: 14-22%) for sexual, 19% (95% CI: 15-23%) for physical, and 27% (95% CI: 23-31%) for psychological violence.
- IPV prevalence was 32% (95% CI: 26-37%) among pregnant women and 33% (95% CI: 25-40%) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Significant predictors included educational status, partner alcohol consumption, women’s decision-making power, substance use, and pandemic-related income loss.
Why it matters
The pooled estimates indicate that IPV affects a substantial proportion of women in Ethiopia, while the reported prevalence of psychological, physical, and sexual violence highlights its varied forms. Identified predictors may help inform public health assessment and prevention planning. The substantial heterogeneity also cautions against treating the pooled estimate as uniform across settings or populations.
What to keep in mind
The review reports substantial heterogeneity across reviews (I2 = 83.48%), limiting how uniformly the pooled prevalence may apply across settings and populations.