Knowledge and Perceptions of Marital Rape among Women in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Marital rape is a serious public health problem affecting many women worldwide. In Nigeria, there is dearth of evidence-based information on issues relating to knowledge and perceptions of marital rape among women. This study was therefore designed to assess the knowledge and perceptions about marital rape among married women in Oyo State, Nigeria. The cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1200 women aged 18-60 years who were ever-married. Participants were recruited using a multi-stage random sampling technique. A validated semi-structured questionnaire which contained a-8 point knowledge of health consequences of marital rape and a-20 point marital rape perception scales was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Respondents’ mean age was 36.6 ± 9.6 years, while their husbands’ mean age was 42.1 ± 10.3 years. Mean knowledge score was 3.9±2.2 and 23.4% had poor knowledge of marital rape. Respondents who had poor knowledge who were aged ≤24 years, 25–49 years and ≥50 years were 31.6%, 25.3% and 9.6%, respectively (P≤0.05). Mean perception score was 8.9 ± 3.6, and 69.8% had supportive perceptions relating to marital rape. A higher proportion of respondents with marriage duration of >20 years (84.6%) had marital rape supportive perception compared with those with marriage duration of 0-10 years (64.9%) (P≤0.05). Knowledge of marital rape remains inadequate, especially among younger women. Furthermore, many women had supportive perceptions for marital rape, a situation which can adversely hinder adopting appropriate preventive behaviours. Multiple community-based health educational interventions have potentials for addressing the phenomenon.