What question did this study set out to answer?

This review aims to estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence against men in Africa and identify its associated risk factors.

March 13, 2026BMC Public Health0 citationsOpen Access

Prevalence and associated factors of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence against men in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

SYSubah Abderehim YesufSt. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College SDSisay Seyfe DemekeHawassa University ABAbel Yirga BerheAddis Ababa University

Key Points

This review aims to estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence against men in Africa and identify its associated risk factors.
Conducted a systematic review of cross-sectional studies from multiple databases.
Included studies reporting on IPV prevalence and related factors in men across African countries.
Used random-effects meta-analysis to estimate pooled prevalence and assessed heterogeneity and publication bias.
Pooled prevalence of IPV against men was 40.49% (95% CI: 31.53%–49.44%).
Psychological violence was identified as the most prevalent form of IPV.
Significant risk factors included partner controlling behavior (OR = 5.02) and partner alcohol use (OR = 1.94).

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a critical public health issue traditionally recognized as primarily affecting women; however, men are also victims of IPV, experiencing various forms of violence from their female intimate partners. In Africa, where patriarchal norms prevail, research on IPV against men remains limited and fragmented. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of IPV against men across African countries and identify associated risk factors. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Epistemonikos, Cochrane Library, Africa Index Medicus, and African Journals Online through November 5, 2025. Cross-sectional studies reporting on IPV prevalence and associated factors among men in Africa were included. Data extraction and quality assessment followed standardized protocols, and pooled prevalence was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis with Stata version 17. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and publication bias was evaluated via funnel plots and Egger’s test. Sixteen studies encompassing 17,939 men from six African countries met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of IPV against men was 40.49% (95% CI: 31.53%–49.44%), with psychological violence being the most prevalent subtype. Partner controlling behavior (OR = 5.02, 95% CI: 3.35–7.53), partner alcohol use (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.61–2.34), history of IPV perpetration (OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 2.37–7.48), exposure to parental IPV in childhood (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.34–1.98), marital separation (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.21–3.33), and having one wife (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.36–0.68) were significantly associated with increased odds of IPV victimization. Nearly two out of five men in Africa experience IPV, a considerably high prevalence that underscores this overlooked public health concern. Partner controlling behavior emerges as a strong predictor of IPV against men, highlighting the need for gender-inclusive prevention strategies that address controlling dynamics within relationships. These findings advocate for expanded IPV screening, tailored interventions, and policies that promote awareness and support for male victims across diverse African contexts.

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