Prevalence of domestic violence against married women: A case study of Oiji Ward, a rural setting in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: In Nigeria, some provisions in the penal code still allow cultural acceptance of some forms of domestic violence, thereby providing avenue for many in the society to accept domestic violence as an accepted fact of life and as such many people live with it without feeling that it was anything wrong. In recent years, however, it has begun to be viewed as a criminal problem, as the case is increasing and is raising lot of concern especially regarding the victims. This study assessed the prevalence of domestic violence among married women in Oiji ward, a rural setting in Benue State, north Central Nigeria.

Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional community-based descriptive survey of 384 married women selected by systematic sampling technique using structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, with level of significance set at p< 0.05. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to investigate independent predictors that had significant chi-square by controlling for possible confounders.

Results: Two hundred and fifty eight (67.2%) had experienced domestic violence of different types, ranging from physical assaults (19.5%), to emotional/mental torture (30.2%). The age of the women({OR= 3.191, (95% CI = 2.002-5.087) p=0.000}, age at marriage(({OR= 1.027, (95% CI= 0.508- 2.073), forced marriage{OR= 0.0136 (95% CI = 0.084-0.221) p=0.000}, monthly income {OR= 1.665 (95% CI = -1.081- 2.564) p=0.001}, and freedom of sex expression {OR= 3.917 (95% CI = 1.999 – 7.676) p=0.000} were the main predicting factors.

Conclusion: Married should be not being forced and women empowerment, Gender based violence awareness campaigns and legal protection of women should be encouraged in the rural areas.

Keywords: Married, Domestic violence, Correlates, Rural, Nigeria