Examination of prevalence and consequences of intimate partner violence against women of child-bearing age in tertiary health institutions in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) generates public health challenges, leading to both immediate and long-term consequences for women of childbearing age. Despite its prevalence, limited empirical evidence complicates the understanding of its specific health effects on women, particularly during pregnancy. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of IPV and its emotional and psychological consequences among pregnant women in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 pregnant women in Ekiti State, Nigeria, using a multistage sampling technique involving consecutive sampling to choose all the tertiary health facilities, stratified sampling to select a percentage from each facility, and random sampling to choose individuals from whom data were collected. Information was elicited through a standardized, adapted, and validated questionnaire whose reliability was ascertained using Cronbach’s alpha, and validity: face and construct were tested, while analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Results: The study found that the overall prevalence of IPV among participants was 8%, with 11% experiencing IPV before pregnancy and 5% during pregnancy. Emotional distress was reported by 80% of participants, while 84% experienced mild depression. A statistically significant relationship was observed between IPV prevalence and emotional distress (P=0.006), though no significant association was found with depression (P=0.094). Conclusion: The findings highlight a significant association between IPV prevalence and emotional distress among the respondents. Hence, implementing awareness campaigns and public health interventions to educate women on their rights to safety in marriage and encourage them to report IPV incidence is vital to prevention. However, no significant relationship was observed between IPV prevalence and depression.