Prevalence and determinants of physical violence during pregnancy among women of reproductive age in Tanzania

Abstract Background Physical violence during pregnancy is a critical public health issue with detrimental consequences for maternal and infant health. Understanding its prevalence, and determinants is crucial for effective interventions. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of physical violence during pregnancy in Tanzania. Method This study employed analytical cross-sectional design utilizing secondary data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey. This study included 3,545 pregnant women selected through two-stage sampling strategy. A multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression, accounting for the complex survey design was used to identify individual and community determinants of physical violence. Adjusted Odds ratio (AOR) and 95% Confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate the strength of association. Results The overall prevalence of physical violence during pregnancy was 3.1%. Individual determinants associated with higher odds of violence included, primary education (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.14–3.99), being employed (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.36–3.62), living in a female-headed household (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.07–2.70), and partner alcohol use (AOR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.60–3.59). Conversely, women from middle (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.33–0.97) and rich (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29–0.92) wealth quintiles were associated with a lower odd of experiencing physical violence. At the community level, women in the Southern (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03–0.69), South-West Highlands (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.05–0.45), and Lake (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.20–0.93) zones had a lower odd of experiencing physical violence. Conclusion Physical violence during pregnancy is a significant concern in Tanzania, affecting 3.1% of women and associated with lower education, being employed, living in female-headed households and partner alcohol use. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and policies to protect pregnant women.