Intimate Partner Violence Predictors in Monogamous Unions in Nigeria

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is of a global public health concern.  However, population-based studies of its correlates are limited in Nigeria. There are fewer studies that have made use of couple data, the few studies that have focused on the issue of intimate partner have mostly used data for women.  The patriarchal nature of our country makes it vital to make use of couple data.  The paper therefore sets to fill this gap. The results showed that there is intimate partner violence in 24% of the marital unions.  It cuts across all strata of the society. The logistic regression results showed that age of wife, age of husband, religion of wife, number of times been married by the Husband, wealth quintile, a history of family violence by the woman are factors that significantly affects the chances of experiencing intimate partner sexual violence. The controlling issues exercised by husbands are also significant correlates of intimate partner violence.  The results underscore the need to prevent the incidence of intimate partner violence. It is pertinent for men to be targeted as more emphasis are placed on addressing the root causes of their controlling behaviours as well as the issue of alcohol use.  There is also the need to build the capacity of young girls and adolescents to have appropriate negotiating and communication skills before entry into the marriage institutions.

Keywords: Intimate Partner Violence, Couple, Women, Marital Union