Using Connell's Theory of Gender and Power to Assess the Tanzanian Women’s Justification of Intimate Partner Violence in Sexual Unions: Evidence from a National Survey

Background : Intimate partner violence (IPV) represents a significant public health challenge with profound consequences for women's physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health. Justification of IPV is one of the critical factors that account for the high prevalence of IPV among women. Therefore, we aimed to identify the prevalence of IPV justification among women in sexual unions and associated factors in Tanzania using the Theory of Gender and Power. Methods: This Analytical cross-sectional study analysed data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, conducted between February and July 2022. A two-stage, stratified sampling design, based on geographic region and urban/rural areas, was employed. Generalized Poisson regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with women’s justification of IPV, and results were presented as prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The overall prevalence of women’s justification of IPV was 50.4% (95%CI:48.7-51.9). In the adjusted analysis, women aged 25-34 (APR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.87-0.98) 35-49 (APR=0.87, 95%CI: 0.82-0.92) were less likely to justify IPV than their younger counterparts. In terms of education and literacy, women in secondary/higher education (APR=0.87, 95%CI: 0.78-0.97) and literate (APR=0.90, 95%CI: 0.84-0.96) were less likely to justify IPV than their counterparts. Additionally, women with media exposure (APR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.86-0.97), using internet (APR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.50-0.75) were less likely to justify IPV than their counterparts. Women in rural and geographical zones were more likely to justify IPV. Conclusion: This study showed the diverse nature of women’s justification of intimate partner violence in Tanzania, revealing that younger age, lower educational attainment, illiteracy, lack of media and internet exposure, and residence in rural or specific geographical zones significantly contribute to greater acceptance of IPV. Addressing these complex and intersecting factors is essential for shifting attitudes and reducing the justification of IPV among Tanzanian women in sexual unions.