Prevalence and factors associated with Help-seeking behavior among female youth who experienced Intimate Partner Violence in Tanzania, 2015/16 and 2022

BackgroundIntimate Partner Violence (IPV) remains a significant global public health concern, with youths disproportionately affected compared to the general population of women aged 15-49 years. In Tanzania, nearly one in two (47.8%) female youth reported having experienced IPV in 2015. Despite national interventions, help-seeking behavior among this group remains low. MethodsThe study was an analytical cross-sectional study design, utilizing data from the 2015/16 and 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS). Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of help-seeking behavior and sources of help used, while Modified Poisson regression was used to determine factors associated with help-seeking behavior among female youth who experienced IPV within the 12 months preceding the survey. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of [&le;] 0.05. ResultsFindings from this study showed a significant decline in help-seeking behavior from 52.0% in 2015/16 to 34.1% in 2022 (p-value <0.001). Most youth sought help from informal sources, such as their own or the partners family, while formal sources like medical personnel, police and social welfare organizations were among the least utilized. Help-seeking behavior was significantly associated with belonging to the rich wealth index (aPR= 1.76; 95%CI: 1.05- 2.97), working (aPR= 1.82; 95%CI: 1.15-2.88) and being younger than the spouse. ConclusionThese findings highlight the need to strengthen existing programs and interventions by promoting family engagement in IPV awareness and response efforts given the critical role families play in early detection, emotional support and referral services. Interventions should also aim to address cultural norms that may discourage seeking help outside the family, particularly those rooted in stigma and fear of judgement. Youth who are not in school should be empowered economically so as to reduce their dependency on intimate partners. Increased economic autonomy may enhance their ability and willingness to seek help in cases of violence, as financial reliance often limits options for escape and recovery.