Prevalence and contextual determinants of intimate partner violence in Nigeria

Abstract

Multilevel logistic regression model was used to examine underlying factors influencing women’s exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) in Nigeria. The findings show that 15.2 percent of married or cohabiting women in the survey reported to experience IPV in the year preceding the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).  The likelihood of a Nigerian woman experiencing IPV in the year preceding the survey was shown to be significantly associated with a range of demographic, household and societal factors, including her age, spousal age difference, type of marital union, the woman’s education, number of living children, religion, ethnicity and region of residence.  The analysis also shows that gender normative values, women’s status and community level factors have independent and incremental influence on the odds of women experiencing IPV.   Ending domestic violence requires commitment to changing societal norms that promote wife beating and forced sex. Programs should be implemented to re-orientate community members to embrace gender equity, amiable spousal discussion of family issues and mutual respect.