Mental Distress and Associated Factors Among Women Who Experienced Gender Based Violence in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction Ongoing internal conflicts in Ethiopia have increased women’s exposure to gender-based violence (GBV), placing them at greater risk of mental distress. Although the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, has implemented interventions to address the mental health needs of GBV survivors, synthesized evidence on the prevalence of mental distress and its associated factors remains limited. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of mental distress and identify factors associated with mental distress among women who have experienced GBV in Ethiopia. Method We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, African Journals Online, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, from January 1, 2026, to February 1, 2026. Google Scholar was also searched. Data were extracted using a standardised Excel form and analysed using STATA version 11. Forest plots, Cochran’s Q test, and subgroup analyses were used to assess heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger’s regression test. A random-effects model was applied to estimate the pooled prevalence of mental distress. Result The pooled prevalence of mental distress among women who experienced gender-based violence in Ethiopia was 62.38% (95% CI: 54.18, 70.57) among 5510 study participants. Lack of formal education(AOR:2.43,95%CI:1.79,3.31),being widowed or separated, rural residence(AOR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.59,2.76), low monthly income (AOR:2.44,95%CI: 1.49,4.00), exposure to stressful life events(AOR:2.15, 95% CI: 1.03, 23.38), and a family history of mental illness (AOR: 4.56, 95% CI: 2.54,8.21), husbanded substance abused(AOR:2.64,95%CI:1.86,3.75), strong social support (AOR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.61) were identified factors for mental distress. Conclusion Mental distress is highly prevalent among women who experience gender-based violence in Ethiopia. Lack of formal education, rural residence, low income, husband’s substance abuse, having social support, and a family history of mental illness were identified as factors for mental distress. There is an urgent need to strengthen integrated and targeted interventions to address this substantial psychological burden. Strengthening community and family-based social support systems should be prioritised given their strong protective effect.