Prevalence and factors associated with domestic violence against women in cotonou

Abstract

The fight against domestic violence is a key public health challenge. We carried out this epidemiological survey on domestic violence among 416 women living together as a couple in the city of Cotonou, and above 15 years of age. The data collected or gathered were sociodemographic and were related to acts of violence as well as medical care and judicial management procedures. In total, 77% of the women interviewed reported that they had been victims of one form of domestic violence over the past 12 months. Psychological violence was the predominant one. The prevalences of physical and sexual domestic violences were respectively 19 % and 17 %. Only 12% of cases of those violences motivated medical consultation. In addition, only one case was reported to the judicial authority. In Cotonou, the prevalence of domestic violence against women is high. However, a hypo-judicialization of its management i.e. low rate of its management by judicial institutions is noted. In order to improve women status and health, actions are required for the prevention and repression of violences exerted against them. Keywords: Domestic violence, Women, Cotonou