Table 1 Measurement and labelling criteria of violence by an intimate partner among currently married women in Butajira, rural Ethiopia

Moderate

Experiencing any of the six items is considered as experiencing ' physical violence'

   • Being slapped or object thrown at person

   • Being pushed or shoved

Severe

   • Being hit with a fist or object

Experiencing only one or both of the first two items is labelled 'moderate'; if any of the other four items were experienced, this was labelled 'severe' physical violence

   • Being kicked, dragged or beaten

   • Being choked or burned intentionally

   • Threatened with or use of weapon/knife

Sexual violence

   • Physically forced to have sex

Experiencing any of the three items is labelled as ' sexual violence'

   • Forced to have sex that made her afraid

   • Presence of degrading sex

Emotional violence

   • Being belittled or humiliated in front of others

Experiencing any of the three items is considered 'emotional violence'

   • Subjected to fear or intimidation

Experiencing only one item is labelled 'moderate' ; experiencing two or more items is labelled 'severe'emotional violence

   • Threatened, either you or someone close

Any form of intimate partner violence

Experiencing any physical, sexual or emotional violence is considered as experiencing 'intimate partner violence'