Prevalence and pattern of intimate partner violence among men and women in Edo State, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a growing concern in Nigeria and globally. Although women are at greater risk of IPV, men are also affected, but this is less reported.Aim: This study sought to determine the prevalence and pattern of IPV among the respondents and to compare the pattern of IPV among the male and female respondents.Setting: The study was conducted in six towns (local government headquarters) across the three senatorial districts in Edo State, Southern Nigeria.Methods: The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional, community-based study. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 1227 respondents from Edo State, Southern Nigeria. A semistructured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and the Extended Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream (E-HITS) tool were used to collect data, which were analysed with Epi Info version 7.1.2.0.Results: The study found an IPV prevalence of 37.7% among the respondents (confidence interval [CI]: 95%, odds ratio [OR]: 0.169–0.294). The mean age was 38 ± 12 and respondents were mostly female (725, 59.1%), married (770, 62.8%) and unemployed (406, S33.1%), with a tertiary level of education (766, 62.4%). Intimate partner violence was significantly higher among women compared with men (95% CI: 4.474, OR: 3.425–5.846). The pattern of IPV showed a lower OR between sexual and physical IPV (95% CI: 0.276, OR: 0.157–0.485). There was a higher likelihood of IPV among married women (95% CI: 1.737, OR: 1.279–2.358).Conclusion: There is a need to improve the socio-economic status of the Nigerian populace, especially women. Healthy, nonviolent and safe relationships should be promoted in communities by signalling what is socially unacceptable and strengthening sanctions against perpetrators.

Using intersectionality to study gender and antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries

“…, 2022 ). Another study in South-West Nigeria found an IPV prevalence of ∼38%, of which ∼80% of victims were women ( Oseni et al. , 2022 ).…”

“…However, the lower prevalence of IPV among men ‘establishes the culture of silence; that is, IPV is more likely to be under-reported in men’ ( Oseni et al. , 2022 ).…”

Intimate partner violence; breaking the silence on male victims in Nigeria

“…Although there are similarities among the factors contributing to low incidence in different parts of the country, certain regions show peculiar features; for instance, in the south-south region of Nigeria, the low incidence was attributed to the fact that the people do not consider psychological violence as a form of violence-unlike the northern part that view violence as physical attacks, psychological aggression and sexual coercion-the lack of routine screening for domestic violence, clinicians discomfort and misconception are other factors in the regions. 8 In the south-eastern part of the country, factors like financial inequality favouring women, powerful in-laws, educated women and couples within the same age group were responsible for low incidence report. These findings are similar to other parts of the country.…”

Intimate partner violence among women in Togo: a generalised structural equation modeling approach

“…5 Both men and women are affected by IPV but most of the cases are perpetrated by men against women. 6 Worldwide, around 30% of women aged 15–49 years have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner at least once in their lifetime. 2 7 IPV varies significantly across regions.…”