Men′s perspectives on intimate partner abuse in an urban community in North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Intimate partner abuse (IPA) has many negative consequences on the health of women and their children, and on the economic and social development of communities. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of IPA among men in an urban community of North-Western, Nigeria, their reasons for engaging in it, and the complications experienced by their partners. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Samaru, Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. This was a cross-sectional study in which 397 married men were interviewed using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire containing both open- and close-ended questions. A man was considered to have engaged in IPA if he had engaged in at least one form of physical, sexual, emotional and/or economic abuse in the last 12 months. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 30.3 ± 27.5 years, and they were mostly Hausa-Fulani 183 (46.1%), and having tertiary education 238 (59.2%). Among all respondents, 186 (46.9%) had engaged in IPA in the last 12 months, the most common type being physical abuse 184 (46.3%). Of all IPAs, 78 (41.9%) occurred, while the partner was pregnant. Some common reasons for engaging in IPA include wife′s nagging and impatience, husband′s heavy drinking, and negligence of domestic duty by wife. Major complications of IPA experienced by their wives were physical injury and miscarriage. Conclusion: Prevalence of IPA amongst the respondents is very high, with almost half occurring during pregnancy. It is recommended that excessive alcohol consumption and gender roles should be discouraged in the community. In addition, screening of antenatal clinic attendees for IPA should be instituted in such communities.