Examination of the Prevalence and Health consequences of Intimate Partner Violence against Women of Child-bearing Age in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem associated with both short and long term consequences on women of child-bearing age (WCA). The lack of sufficient empirical evidence makes it challenging to offer precise and reliable health information about the type of negative effect it has on a woman. Aim: this study examined the consequences of IPV on women. Method: Quantitative data collection was done using standardized questionnaire to obtain data from 315 pregnant women who were selected through multistage sampling technique. The quantitative data analysis was done using statistical product for service solution version 25. Findings: results showed that 45.7% of the participants are between the age 25-30 years while 57% were self-employed, and 61.4% earned an average monthly income of 20-40,000 naira. The findings further revealed 11% and 5% prevalence of IPV before and during pregnancy respectively with 8% overall prevalence, 80% had low distress while 84% had mild depression due to IPV. Conclusion: There was statistically significant relationship between prevalence of IPV and emotional distress with p-value = 0.006, but no significant relationship between prevalence and depression with P-value = 0.094 at 0.05 level of significance. Recommendation: It is therefore recommended that, awareness should be created among women through the various means of communication of their right to be safe in their marriage, voice out any violent behavior by their spouses and ensure they are not brutally treated by their spouses.

Keywords: Prevalence, Health Consequences, Intimate Partner, Violence, Women of Child-bearing age