Prevalence and factors associated with intimate partner violence among women aged 15–49 years in Ethiopia: analysis of the 2024–25 Ethiopia demographic and health survey

Intimate partner violence is a major public health and human rights concern that adversely affects the physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health of women. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, patterns, geographic distribution, and associated factors of IPV among women aged 15–49 years who currently or formerly had an intimate partner in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional analytical study design was employed using nationally representative data from the 2024–25 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey. The EDHS employed a complex multistage sampling design with stratification, clustering, and sampling weights. All analyses accounted for the survey design using the appropriate sampling weights, primary sampling units, and stratification variables. The study was conducted among 6,423 women aged 15–49 years. The outcome variable was experience of any IPV, defined as exposure to at least one form of physical, sexual, or emotional violence. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence and distribution of intimate partner violence. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with intimate partner violence. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the strength of associations, and statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. The prevalence of any form of intimate partner violence was 29.8% (95% CI: 28.7–30.9). Physical violence was the most common form of intimate partner violence, affecting 22.9% (95% CI: 21.9–23.9) of women, followed by emotional violence (18.7%, 95% CI: 17.7–19.7), and sexual violence (7.6%, 95% CI: 6.9–8.2). Approximately 5.8% (95% CI: 5.2–6.4) of women experienced both physical and sexual violence, while 4.0% (95% CI: 3.5–4.5) experienced all three forms. Considerable regional variation was observed, ranging from 12.6% in the Somali region to 44.4% in Sidama. Women aged 25–29 (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.02–1.38), 30–39 years (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.06–1.35), and 40–49 years (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.21–1.84), rural residence (AOR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.06–1.38), divorced/separated/widowed women (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 2.46–4.82), married women (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.82–3.46), and Muslim women (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.31–0.92) were significantly associated with intimate partner violence. Nearly one in three Ethiopian women has experienced intimate partner violence. The regional disparities and socioeconomic inequalities observed in intimate partner violence prevalence emphasized the need for targeted, context-specific interventions. These findings suggest that strengthening women’s education, expanding economic opportunities, enhancing legal protection, and improving access to support services particularly in high-burden regions and among vulnerable populations may contribute to efforts to address intimate partner violence and advance progress toward gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals.