Determinants of Violence Against Married Women in Selected Zones of Amhara Region, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Violence against women is one of the most pervasive problems affecting women throughout the globe. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and determi- nants of violence against married women in five zones of Amhara Region of North-West- ern Ethiopia.

Methods: A mixed research approach with cross-sectional research design was em- ployed. Questionnaire, interview and FGD were the instruments. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model.

Results: The result demonstrated that,236 (56.9%) of the respondents have experienced violence againstwomen, while179 (43.1%) have not experienced VAW since 2018/2019. The binary logistic regression results showed, that educational status of  married wom- en (can read and write; AOR = 0.047, 95 % CI [.002-.954J, p = 0.047; primary educa- tion, AOR= 0.027, 95 % CI[0.01-0.543J, p= .018; secondary education, AOR = 0.047,95 % CI[0.02-0.923J, p = .044; diploma = AOR= 0.016,  95 % CI [0.001-.362J, p = .009; Degree and above, AOR = 0.066, 95 % CI[0.005-.976J, p = .048;  private employment, AOR = 0.160, 95 % CI[. 027-0. 936J, p = .042;  trade, AOR = 0.234, 95 % CI [0.054-1.012J, p = 0.05; child-abuse, AOR = 0.242, 95 % CI[0.128-458J , p = 0.000; money for family, AOR

= 0.333, 95 % CI[0.171-647J, p = 0.001; family disagreement, AOR = 0.205, 7,95 % CI [.099-424J, p = 0.000; limitations of money, AOR = 0.503, 95 % CI [0.249-1.016J, p =0 .056; gender norms, AOR = 0.57, 95 % CI[0.275-1. 010J, p = 0.053 and  gender roles as- signation, AOR = 0.491 ,95 % CI[0.245-0.984J, p = 0. 045) were variables that determined VAW in Amhara region.

Conclusion: Violence against women was high. The government should play a signifi- cant role in publicizing the incidence of violence against women in the region.