Predictors of intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age group in Sagamu local government area in Ogun State, Western Nigeria: A community-based study

Abstract

Introduction: Worldwide, it has been estimated that violence against women is as serious a cause of death and incapacity among women of reproductive age as cancer, and a greater cause of ill health as traffic accidents and malaria combined. This study was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence and predictors of intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age group in Sagamu local government area (SLGA) of Ogun State, Nigeria. Settings: The study was conducted in SLGA Ogun State, which is located in the South Western part of Nigeria. A total of 500 women were interviewed in this study. One participant per each household was selected into the study. Methodology: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between April 22, and May 13, 2013. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the participants into the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant information. Results: The overall rate of intimate partner violence in the last 12 months among respondents was 16.0% and was the most common (65.0%) among age 25–39 years (P = 0.003) and those with primary education (P = 0.001). About 12.3% of the respondents had an abnormal General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Those who had abnormal GHQ were strongly statistically associated with intimate partner violence (P = 0.0001). Strain relationship (odds ratio [OR] =3.7, confidence interval [CI] =1.74–7.87), thinking that violence is acceptable (OR = 1.96, CI = 1.24–3.09) were predisposing factors for intimate partner violence while being mentally healthy (OR = 0.51, CI = 0.34–0.75) reduce the occurrence of violence by half after controlling for the effect of confounders. Conclusion: This study suggests that women education and healthy mental health is essential to the reduction of violence among intimate partners. Resolving it requires the provision of counseling services by educational and mental health sectors working together at the community, national and international levels.