207 Exploring progress against intimate partner violence in Cambodia: insights from the 2014 and 2021 Demographic Health Survey

Abstract EP1.4, e-Poster Terminal 1, September 4, 2025, 11:35 - 13:00 Aims Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global public health and human rights issue that disproportionately affects women. In Cambodia, where 19% of ever-married women report experiencing emotional, physical, and/or sexual IPV, structural inequalities and cultural norms perpetuate gendered violence. This study examined the variables associated with IPV in Cambodia using data from the 2021–22 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and applied Heise’s ecological framework to analyze risk and protective factors. By replicating a study that utilized the 2014 DHS, we assessed how key determinants of IPV have evolved, offering a comparative perspective on progress and persistent challenges in this context. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of DHS data from married and in-union Cambodian women aged 15–49 (n = 5,640). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk and protective factors for emotional, physical, and sexual IPV. Independent variables included socioeconomic status, education, geographic location, childhood exposure to IPV, alcohol consumption, and gender norms. Results IPV prevalence has significantly declined since 2014 but remains strongly associated with socioeconomic, cultural, and behavioral factors. Women with lower education, those in poverty, and those in rural areas face higher risks. Men’s controlling behaviors, frequent alcohol use, and attitudes condoning wife-beating were key predictors. Women who experienced IPV during childhood or held beliefs justifying wife-beating were also at higher risk, underscoring the intergenerational nature of gendered violence. Notably, the intersection of ethnicity and geography revealed disproportionate vulnerability among women in the eastern and northwestern regions, potentially linked to minority status and cultural marginalization. Conclusions Despite legal progress, cultural institutions such as Chbab Srey continue to reinforce harmful gender norms. Our findings highlight the need for intersectional, context-specific interventions that address not only problematic gender norms but also facilitate economic empowerment and legal protections for marginalized groups.