Global Prevalence and Patterns of Domestic Violence During COVID-19 Quarantine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background COVID-19 pandemic and associated quarantine measures heightened the risk of domestic violence (DV) globally. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimates the pooled prevalence of DV and its subtypes—psychological, physical, sexual, and verbal—among women during the pandemic. Method Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (January 23, 2020–December 2024) using MeSH and free-text terms for DV and COVID-19 quarantine, without language restrictions. Observational studies reporting DV prevalence among women aged ≥18 years with a sexual partner during quarantine were included. Data were extracted using a standardized form, and study quality was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist. Random-effects meta-analyses (DerSimonian–Laird) were performed in STATA 17 to estimate pooled prevalence, heterogeneity (I 2 , Cochran’s Q), and publication bias (Meta-regression). Subgroup, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses explored heterogeneity and robustness. Results From 1117 records, 24 studies (14,831 women) from Africa (n=14), Asia (n=8), and America (n=2) met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of DV during quarantine was 36.0% (95% CI: 29.0–44.0; I 2 = 99.3%). Psychological violence was most common (32.0%; 95% CI: 23.0–41.0), followed by verbal (29%; 6.0–52.0), physical (16.0%; 13.0–19.0), and sexual (16.0%; 12.0–20.0) violence. Prevalence varied by continent: 33% in Africa, 39% in Asia, and 51% in America (p = 0.001). No temporal trend was observed. Sensitivity analyses confirmed stability (33.8–37.3%). Conclusions More than one in three women experienced DV during COVID-19 quarantine, with psychological violence predominating. Substantial regional disparities and high heterogeneity reflect cultural and methodological differences. Context-specific, multilevel interventions—combining health screening, economic support, and policy enforcement—are urgently needed. Standardized methodologies and inclusion of underrepresented regions should be prioritized in future research.