Intimate partner violence and common mental disorders among women in Mozambique: Evidence from the 2022-2023 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey
- 1Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- 2African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI-II), West African Hub, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern and a violation of fundamental human right which disproportionately affects women and profoundly impacts mental health. This study used the 2023 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey data to examine the association between IPV and common mental disorders (CMDs) among 2,790 reproductive-aged women in union. A composite outcome variable (CMDs), from either probable depression or anxiety, was computed using standardised thresholds. The main exposure was IPV, a composite focused on three forms: physical, emotional, and sexual, stratified by never, past, or recent exposures. A weighted binary logistic regression was performed in STATA 18/MP. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were reported. The results show that the prevalence of probable depression and anxiety was 8.6% (95% CI: 7.1–10.5) and 10.7% (95% CI: 8.7–12.9) respectively. Overall, the prevalence of CMDs was 13.5% (95% CI: 11.4–15.9), comorbid symptoms was 5.8% (95% CI: 4.5 – 7.5). The prevalence of emotional, physical, and sexual IPV was 16.1%, 12.0%, and 4.0% respectively. Women who experienced any recent IPV (aOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.36 – 3.09), or past IPV (aOR = 1.40 CI: 0.80 – 2.44) had higher odds of CMDs compared to those who did not experience IPV. After adjusting for confounders, emotional IPV (aOR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.6–3.4) remained independently associated with CMDs; physical (aOR=1.21, 95% CI: 0.73 – 2.03) and sexual IPV (1.67, 95% CI: 0.83 – 3.35) were not. Higher household wealth was protective against CMDs (aOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13 – 0.88), and joint household decision-making was associated with higher odds of CMDs (aOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.08 – 3.15). The results demonstrate an interaction between marital status and IPV on CMDs, providing partial empirical support for Intersectionality theory. These findings underscore the need for regular mental health support and targeted IPV campaigns, particularly against emotional abuse among partnered women in Mozambique.
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BibTeX
@article{owusu2026intimate,
title = {{Intimate partner violence and common mental disorders among women in Mozambique: Evidence from the 2022-2023 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey}},
author = {Bernard Afriyie Owusu and Benedict Weobong},
journal = {PLOS Mental Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pmen.0000660},
url = {https://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000660},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Intimate partner violence and common mental disorders among women in Mozambique: Evidence from the 2022-2023 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey
AU - Bernard Afriyie Owusu
AU - Benedict Weobong
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - PLOS Mental Health
DO - 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000660
UR - https://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000660
AB - Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern and a violation of fundamental human right which disproportionately affects women and profoundly impacts mental health. This study used the 2023 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey data to examine the association between IPV and common mental disorders (CMDs) among 2,790 reproductive-aged women in union. A composite outcome variable (CMDs), from either probable depression or anxiety, was computed using standardised thresholds. The main exposure was IPV, a composite focused on three forms: physical, emotional, and sexual, stratified by never, past, or recent exposures. A weighted binary logistic regression was performed in STATA 18/MP. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were reported. The results show that the prevalence of probable depression and anxiety was 8.6% (95% CI: 7.1–10.5) and 10.7% (95% CI: 8.7–12.9) respectively. Overall, the prevalence of CMDs was 13.5% (95% CI: 11.4–15.9), comorbid symptoms was 5.8% (95% CI: 4.5 – 7.5). The prevalence of emotional, physical, and sexual IPV was 16.1%, 12.0%, and 4.0% respectively. Women who experienced any recent IPV (aOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.36 – 3.09), or past IPV (aOR = 1.40 CI: 0.80 – 2.44) had higher odds of CMDs compared to those who did not experience IPV. After adjusting for confounders, emotional IPV (aOR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.6–3.4) remained independently associated with CMDs; physical (aOR=1.21, 95% CI: 0.73 – 2.03) and sexual IPV (1.67, 95% CI: 0.83 – 3.35) were not. Higher household wealth was protective against CMDs (aOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13 – 0.88), and joint household decision-making was associated with higher odds of CMDs (aOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.08 – 3.15). The results demonstrate an interaction between marital status and IPV on CMDs, providing partial empirical support for Intersectionality theory. These findings underscore the need for regular mental health support and targeted IPV campaigns, particularly against emotional abuse among partnered women in Mozambique.
SN - 2837-8156
ER -