Prevalence and Predictors of Domestic Gender-Based Violence and Its Impact on Women’s Reproductive Health-Seeking Behavior in Urban Uganda

Domestic gender-based violence (DGBV) remains a major public health concern that undermines women’s sexual and reproductive health (SRH). This study assessed the influence of DGBV on SRH-seeking behavior among women of reproductive age in the Lusaaze Zone, Kampala District, Uganda. A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive-correlational design was employed among 383 women aged 15–49 years selected through systematic random sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and modified Poisson regression. The prevalence of DGBV was high, with 61.6% of women reporting public humiliation, 60.0% reporting physical violence, 59.0% reporting forced sexual intercourse, and 45.1% reporting economic exclusion. Women exposed to DGBV were nearly twice as likely to report partner prevention of HIV service access (66.8% vs. 35.2%; p < 0.001). Household financial control emerged as the strongest predictor of DGBV exposure, with women whose partner-controlled household income was approximately 2.4 times more likely to experience violence. The primary indicator for SRH-seeking behavior was STI treatment-seeking status, which was not independently associated with DGBV after adjustment (aPR=0.99, 95% CI=0.65–1.49). The study concludes that DGBV is highly prevalent and driven largely by unequal household power relations. Strengthening community DGBV prevention programs, women’s economic empowerment, and the integration of DGBV response services within SRH programs are recommended.