Background IPV is a global concern and have a devastating effect on women. In order to understand its underlining causes, many studies tried to determine risk factors which make some women vulnerable to IPV. Determining risk factors, which are direct causes of IPV, or identifying common characteristics of victims to target services, can assist in designing effective IPV prevention programs. This study aimed to analyse risk factors of IPV in Thai women.

Methods A province in the central part of Thailand was selected to be the site for this study. A random sample of women in the reproductive age group in the province was conducted. In total, 299 women participated in an interviewer-administered survey during October 2010 – March 2011. Interviewers were nurses and social workers who had been trained in interviewing techniques. Data on socioeconomic characteristics, types and experience of IPV, attitude towards traditional gender roles, partners having extra marital sexual relations, pleasure in sexual intercourse and issues relating to formal marriage were collected. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors influencing IPV scores.

Results Approximately 14% of women in this study experienced physical or sexual violence. There was no significant difference in socioeconomic characteristics of women who experienced IPV versus no experience. Responses of being humiliated, scolded, beaten, pushed, forced sex were 22.6%, 11.3%, 8%, 12.8% and 4% respectively. Experience of physical abuse, sexual abuse and partners having extra marital sexual relations were significantly associated with IPV scores (the standard coefficients = 0.312, 0.424 and −0.192) (p = 0.00). Adjusted R square = 0.41.

Conclusions Screening to identify risk factors in Thai women can assist in intervention designs to prevent IPV. Including factors at other levels (e.g. policy and laws etc.) should also be considered for a comprehensive intervention design.