Lifetime Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Against Mozambican Women: Individual and Contextual Level Factors Driving Its Prevalence

BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) remains a significant public health issue in Mozambique. This study uses data from the 2022-2023 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) to examine the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of Lifetime IPV among women. MethodsA nationally representative sample of 4,813 women aged 15-49 was analyzed to assess the prevalence of Lifetime IPV. Logistic regression models were used to identify individual- and contextual-level factors associated with Lifetime IPV. ResultsNearly 1 in 4 women (23.07%) reported experiencing physical abuse from a current or former partner in their lifetime. Marital status emerged as a key individual-level determinant, with married, cohabitating, and separated women being at significantly higher odds of experiencing IPV compared to women who had never been in a union. Educational attainment and current employment were also associated with increased odds of IPV. Similarly, women who justified physical abuse had higher odds of experiencing IPV. Additionally, husbands/partners alcohol consumption was one of the strongest predictors, nearly tripling the odds of Lifetime IPV. Finally, the effect modification between marital status and education showed that the intersection of these factors further shaped IPV risk. At the contextual level, provincial disparities were observed, with Cabo Delgado and Manica showing the highest IPV prevalence, while Inhambane and Gaza had the lowest. ConclusionThis study provides updated data on the prevalence of Lifetime IPV in Mozambique and highlights key individual and contextual factors contributing to IPV. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing socio-cultural norms, improving educational opportunities, mitigating alcohol consumption, and implementing province-specific strategies to reduce IPV and enhance womens safety across Mozambique.