Relationship characteristics associated with intimate partner violence among women in Moshi, Tanzania

Laura McCloskey, Harvard University
Corrine Williams, Harvard University

Context. To identify the relationship characteristics associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in an urban population in Tanzania, and to report the prevalence rate of IPV in a population-based sample. Methods. A representative household survey in Moshi, Tanzania with face-to-face interviews of 1,444 women was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Results. The 12-month prevalence was 21.2% (95%CI, 18.5-23.9). Analyses confirmed that violence was more typical of couples where: men had multiple partners and did not contribute for children’s health care; men’s heavy drinking; having 5 or more children; problems conceiving; and women’s lower educational attainment. Conclusions. Features of relationship investment correlate with IPV in this population. Some implications are to enhance men’s commitment through promoting monogamy; enhance marital satisfaction through alcohol treatment for men and family planning to reduce fertility; and to provide women with alternatives through the promotion of education opportunities from secondary school to adult education.