Domestic Violence and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among Women in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Prior studies have shown that women who experience domestic violence are at higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but this had not been clearly observed among women in Ekiti State. This study investigated domestic violence and PTSD with the purpose of finding out strategies that could help in reducing the occurrences. The study was a descriptive research of the survey type. The sample consisted of 2100 women in Ekiti State. The sample was selected through Multistage sampling procedure. An adapted close-ended questionnaire was used to measure the variables investigated. Face and content validity of the instrument were ensured. Construct validity yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.81. Reliability of the instrument was ensured and a coefficient of 0.85 obtained. Research questions were answered descriptively and hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance.Findings showed that 37.9% women experienced physical violence, 40.8% experienced sexual violence and 43% experienced psychological violence in Ekiti State. Further finding showed 44.3% of women in Ekiti State exhibited symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Education of children and young people to achieving generational change in violent behaviour was the most preferred strategy in preventing domestic violence among women in Ekiti State. There was significant relationship between physical, sexual and psychological violence, and post-traumatic stress disorder among women in Ekiti State.Healthy relationship education targeted at disrupting the developmental pathways towards domestic violence should be developed and implemented in health education curriculum, at primary and secondary school levels.

Keywords: domestic violence; post-traumatic stress disorder; prevention; strategies; women

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/71-04

Publication date: February 29^th 2020