Background

Mental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, are major public health concerns among women in Zambia. Although intimate partner violence (IPV) is a recognized risk factor, nationally representative evidence examining its association with mental health and spatial inequalities has been limited.

Methods

• Data: 13,951 women aged 15–49 years from the 2024 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS).

• Measures: Depression (PHQ-9) and Anxiety (GAD-7), with scores ≥10 indicating symptoms.

• Analysis: Stepwise survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression and spatial analysis to identify regional disparities.

Key Findings

• Physical IPV was strongly associated with depression (AOR = 3.89; 95% CI: 2.16–6.95).

• Emotional IPV significantly increased the odds of depression (AOR = 3.50; 95% CI: 2.09–5.86).

• Any IPV was associated with higher odds of:

  • Depression: AOR = 2.90 (95% CI: 1.80–4.67)

  • Anxiety: AOR = 2.05 (95% CI: 1.20–3.50)

• Spatial analysis identified substantial provincial inequalities, with some regions experiencing a disproportionately higher mental health burden.

Implications for Research and Practice

• Integrating mental health screening, psychosocial support, and IPV prevention into maternal and primary healthcare could improve early identification and care.

• Geographically targeted interventions can help policymakers prioritize high-burden provinces and accelerate progress toward SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Links

• Full paper:

  • https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2026.10261

• Open Access under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License.