Original Research Article
Year: 2016 | Month: June | Volume: 3 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 26-35
Prevalence, Pattern and Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence among Single Females in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State, Nigeria
Kevin C. Diwe1, Chukwuma B. Duru1, Chinyere M. Aguocha2, Kenechi A. Uwakwe1, Irene A. Merenu1, Chima O. Emerole3, Anthony C. Iwu4
1Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Imo State University Owerri, Imo State.2Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State.
3Department of Health Services, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State.
4Department of Community Medicine, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Imo State.
Corresponding Author: Chukwuma B. Duru
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Intimate partner violence or abuse (IPV) includes an ongoing pattern of behavior, attitudes, and beliefs in which a partner in an intimate relationship attempts to maintain power and control over the other through the use of psychological, physical and/or sexual coercion.
Aim: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence, pattern and determinants of intimate partner abuse among single females in tertiary institutions in Imo State, Nigeria.
Methodology: The study design was a cross sectional descriptive study carried out among 422 participants from two tertiary institutions in the State who were selected through a multistage sampling technique. Information about IPV was collected using a pretested, semi structured, and interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using a computer software package, EPI INFO version 7.1.3.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 23±4.4 years with majority of them, (94.8%) being aware of IPV. The commonest form of abuse suffered by respondents was physical abuse (31.1%), while the least was verbal abuse (18.6%). Majority of them were still in an intimate relationship (90.0%) in the last 3months proceeding this study and the proportion of them in recent relationship currently experiencing any form of abuse was 41.4%. Factors found to significantly influence the occurrence of current IPV in a relationship were; age of respondent, (p<0.0001), Religion attended, (p<0.0001), place of residence, (p<0.0001), year of study, (p<0.01), type of accommodation, (p<0.01), and main source of sponsorship, (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Prevalence of IPV among the study population was high so there is need to draw the attention of students, lecturers and policy makers on partner abuse with the possibility of emphasizing IPV in school curriculum.
Key words: intimate, partner violence, single females, tertiary institutions, Imo State.