Home Environment, Socio-Economic Status and Domestic Violence in Uganda: A Case Study of Slums in Kampala City

Abstract

This research study investigated the causes of domestic violence within slums in Kampala City, where a total of 120 respondents where obtained from three selected slums (Makerere Kivulu Slum, Kawaala Slum & Kakajjo Slum) in Kampala District. The instruments of data collection employed were standardized self administered questionnaires. The data collected where coded, organized and summarized using frequencies and percentages. The scientific chi-square was incorporated in order to test the significance of the results, and the variables examined include; cultural practices, substance abuse, sexual harassment and socio-economic status. These independent variables were tested against dependent variable (domestic violence) to observe their relationship.The results were as follows:a) cultural practice: 113 out of 120 respondents interviewed reported witnessing some forms of domestic violence occurring almost in all homes within their cultures which gave a high percentage of 94.2. The value of Chi-square observed is 12.680 and Chi-square critical is 6.251. Since the value of Chi-square observed (12.680) is greater than the value of Chi-square critical (6.251), [(X2ob>X2cr)] at 0.01 level of significance, we reject the Null Hypothesis (H0) and conclude that Cultural Practices significantly influences Domestic Violence.b) Substance abuse: a total of 31 out of 120 respondents interviewed reported drinking alcohol and that correlates to 25.8%. But on the contrary, out of 120 respondents interviewed, 89 reported that they were not taking any forms of alcohol or drugs of any kinds, which gives a percentage of 74.2. Therefore, the value of Chi-square observed is 1.772 and Chi-square critical is 1.642. Since the value of Chi-square observed (1.772) is greater than the value of Chi-square critical (1.642), [(X2ob>X2cr)] at 0.20 level of significance, we reject the Null Hypothesis (H0) and conclude that Substance Abuse significantly influences Domestic Violence.c) Sexuat harassment: out of 120 respondents interviewed, 68 respondents reported that they did not feel comfortable making love to their spouses whenever they are upset or hurt, which gives a percentage of 56.7, that is basically above average. The value of Chi-square observed is 1.584 and Chi-square critical is 1.424. Since the value of Chi-square observed (1.584) is greater than the value of Chi-square critical (1.424), [(X2ob>X2cr)] at 0.70 level of significance, we reject the Null Hypothesis (H0) and conclude that Sexual Harassment significantly influences Domestic Violence.d) A total of 46 out of 120 respondents interviewed reported that they had work (job) or were employed in some way which gives a percentage of working-class to be 38.3. While on the other hand, 74 respondents out of 120 interviewed admitted that they were unemployed, which gives a percentage of 61.7; that is, quite above average. The value of Chi-square observed is 0.928 and Chi-square critical is 0.455. Since the value of Chi-square observed (0.928) is greater than the value of Chi-square critical (0.455), [(X2ob>X2cr)] at 0.50 level of significance, we reject the Null Hypothesis (H0) and conclude that Socio-economic Status significantly influences Domestic Violence.Based on the research finding, the following recommendations are valuable for future academicians, counselors, psychologists and researchers; 1) since the family is a basic unit of social existence, the researcher recommends that counseling and community guidance of spouses should be done because it would elicit high moral values and disciplines in families, 2) effective laws on domestic violence through domestic bills, should be properly enforced and strong penalty subjected to the perpetuators in order to reduce cases of domestic violence, 3) the government should facilitate the publication of documents showing the dangers of domestic violence, including wife battering and women rights so that at least women can be informed of the steps to be taken in case of (when encountering) domestic violence, and support the facilitation media publication so that the general public is made aware and conscience raised on the causes and effects of domentic violence.