Intimate Partner Violence Among Sexual Minority Men in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

While extant scholarship has identified intimate partner violence (IPV) as a pervasive public health concern, most research has largely centered heterosexual relationships, leaving the experiences of sexual minority men (SMM) underexamined, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. In Sub-Saharan Africa, criminalization of same-sex relationships, structural stigma, and limited access to affirming services may uniquely shape IPV risk and related outcomes among SMM. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence on the prevalence, correlates, and health outcomes of IPV among SMM in Sub-Saharan Africa. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we identified 17 eligible studies across 9 countries. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated pooled prevalence of IPV victimization and perpetration, and thematic synthesis summarized multilevel risk factors and health consequences. The pooled prevalence of any IPV victimization was 20% (95% CI [13%, 29%]), and the pooled prevalence of IPV perpetration was 16% (95% CI [6%, 29%]), with substantial heterogeneity across studies. IPV prevalence was higher in West Africa than in Southern Africa and in studies using recall periods longer than 12 months. IPV was associated with adverse mental health outcomes, substance use, sexual risk behaviors, and increased vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Multilevel risk factors included childhood adversity, relationship power imbalances, economic dependence, stigma, and structural discrimination. Significant gaps remain, including limited geographic coverage, inconsistent IPV measurement, and a lack of intervention-focused research. Addressing IPV among SMM in Sub-Saharan Africa is critical for advancing health equity and requires contextually tailored prevention and response strategies that address both interpersonal violence and the broader structural conditions shaping vulnerability.