Prevalence and pattern of intimate partner violence among men and women in Edo State, Southern Nigeria

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a growing concern in Nigeria and globally. Although women are at greater risk of IPV, men are also affected, but this is less reported. Aim: This study sought to determine the prevalence and pattern of IPV among the respondents and to compare the pattern of IPV among the male and female respondents. Setting: The study was conducted in six towns (local government headquarters) across the three senatorial districts in Edo State, Southern Nigeria. Methods: The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional, community-based study. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 1227 respondents from Edo State, Southern Nigeria. A semistructured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and the Extended Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream (E-HITS) tool were used to collect data, which were analysed with Epi Info version 7.1.2.0. Results: The study found an IPV prevalence of 37.7% among the respondents (confidence interval [CI]: 95%, odds ratio [OR]: 0.169­0.294). The mean age was 38 ± 12 and respondents were mostly female (725, 59.1%), married (770, 62.8%) and unemployed (406, S33.1%), with a tertiary level of education (766, 62.4%). Intimate partner violence was significantly higher among women compared with men (95% CI: 4.474, OR: 3.425­5.846). The pattern of IPV showed a lower OR between sexual and physical IPV (95% CI: 0.276, OR: 0.157­0.485). There was a higher likelihood of IPV among married women (95% CI: 1.737, OR: 1.279­2.358). Conclusion: There is a need to improve the socio-economic status of the Nigerian populace, especially women. Healthy, nonviolent and safe relationships should be promoted in communities by signalling what is socially unacceptable and strengthening sanctions against perpetrators.

Screening and Brief Intervention for Intimate Partner Violence Among Antenatal Care Attendees at Primary Healthcare Clinics in Mpumalanga Province; South Africa

Background. It has been found that pregnant women experience a higher rate of intimate partner violence (IPV) than women who are not pregnant. This paper presents findings of a brief IPV intervention provided to pregnant women attending prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services. Methods. Eighteen community workers were recruited and trained in assessment of and intervention for abuse during pregnancy. These were implemented for 10 months at 16 primary healthcare facilities in the Thembisile sub-district; Nkangala district; Mpumalanga Province; South Africa. Results. A total of 2 230 pregnant women were screened for abuse; 7.2 (160) screened positive and received a brief intervention. This was a 20-minute session on safety behaviours and strategies for dealing with the abuse; including referral to local support services. Eighty-four women attended a follow-up interview 3 months after the intervention. The mean danger assessment score of 6.0 before intervention fell significantly to 2.8 after 3 months. Conclusion. The brief intervention provided to these women contributed to a significant reduction in the level of IPV

Violences conjugales a Antananarivo (Madagascar): un enjeu de sante publique

Introduction: La violence conjugale a ete etudiee dans beaucoup de pays developpes mais peu en Afrique subsaharienne. Madagascar est unpays ou ce phenomene est peu documente. Methodes: En 2007; une enquete sur la violence conjugale a Antananarivo (ELVICA) a ete menee surla violence conjugale envers les femmes dans la capitale malgache. ELVICA a interroge 400 femmes en union; de 15 a 59 ans. Des informationssur les caracteristiques demographiques; socioeconomiques des couples ont ete collectees ainsi que sur les actes de violences physiques deshommes sur leurs epouses. L'objectif de cet article est d'identifier les facteurs de risques de la violence conjugale grave; celle qui a desconsequences sur la sante physique des femmes. Resultats: Trente-cinq pour cent des femmes qui ont declare avoir subi au moins une forme deviolence physique au cours des 12 mois precedent l'enquete. Presque la moitie (46) des femmes violentees ont declare avoir deja eu deshematomes; et environ un quart (23) des plaies avec saignement. Vingt-deux pour cent ont deja du consulter un medecin. Parmi les nombreusesvariables socioeconomiques et demogra-phiques testees; quelques-unes sont associees positivement au risque de violence conjugale grave: le faitpour une femme d'etre en union consensuelle et d'avoir une activite professionnelle. Il y aussi un lien entre la violence subie et l'autonomie des femmes (liberte accordee par le mari de travailler; de circuler; de voir sa famille). Conclusion: A Madagascar; comme ailleurs; la lutte contre les violences conjugales est un element majeur de l'amelioration du statut et de la sante des femmes

Profil des femmes victimes des violences sexuelles dans la province du Sud-Kivu en Republique Democratique du Congo

Dans cette etude retrospective les auteurs ont analyse les registres du centre de sante Olame et de l'hopital provincial general de reference de Bukavu (HPGRB) qui contenaient les informations de 176 cas de victimes d'agression sexuelle. L'age des patientes a varie entre 10 - 60 ans; la majorite des victimes avaient l'age de 15 - 19 ans. La plupart de ces patientes etaient venues de Nindja; de Kanyola et de Kalehe. Elles etaient multipares et mariees dans 11 et 42 respectivement. Dans la majorite des cas; les actes d'agression sexuelle etaient commis a domicile et la nuit; en presence des autres membres de la famille terrorises. Le taux du VIH au premier check up a ete de 1;7; cependant; les autres IST avaient atteint un taux de 60;7Certaines recommandations ont ete faites pour retablir les victimes dans leurs droits et dignite humaine

Profil des femmes victimes des violences sexuelles dans la province du Sud-Kivu en Republique Democratique du Congo

Dans cette etude retrospective les auteurs ont analyse les registres du centre de sante Olame et de l'hopital provincial general de reference de Bukavu (HPGRB) qui contenaient les informations de 176 cas de victimes d'agression sexuelle.L'age des patientes a varie entre 10 - 60 ans; la majorite des victimes avaient l'age de 15 - 19 ans. La plupart de ces patientes etaient venues de Nindja; de Kanyola et de Kalehe. Elles etaient multipares et mariees dans 11 et 42 respectivement. Dans la majorite des cas; les actes d'agression sexuelle etaient commis a domicile et la nuit; en presence des autres membres de la famille terrorises.Le taux du VIH au premier check up a ete de 1;7; cependant; les autres IST avaient atteint un taux de 60;7. Certaines recommandations ont ete faites pour retablir les victimes dans leurs droits et dignite humaine

Experiences of sexual relationships of young black women in an atmosphere of coercion

Negotiations surrounding sexual activity are characterised by multiple power disparities that include race; social status and age; with gender being the most dominant differential in heterosexual interactions. Research has shown that women are physiologically more at risk of contracting HIV than men; as indicated by the higher infection rates of the former. Many African societies operate via a hegemonic masculinity; with patriarchal governance and female subordination being the norm; placing women at even greater risk of HIV infection. In this qualitative phenomenological study; four black school-going adolescent women living in Grahamstown were interviewed using a semi-structured interview to gather data. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted on the data to provide subjective insights of the experiences of the participants with regard to their interactions with men. From the findings; it became apparent that the participants felt pressured; coerced or manipulated by male counterparts. This pressure and coercion was not just felt in their interactions with older men; but also in their romantic partnerships. Three of the participants experienced pressure to engage in sexual intercourse with their boyfriends when they were unwilling or unready; and they reported being faced with additional pressure to engage in unprotected sex. Furthermore; it became apparent that each participant had an underlying fear of being raped and considered this as a genuine threat to her safety and sexual health. The atmosphere within which these participants negotiate their sexual agency is thus heavily informed by male control; coercion and the threat of violence or rape

Emergency Care Provision for; and Psychological Distress in; Survivors of Domestic Violence

"Background : This study aimed (i) to ascertain the number of treatment referrals and information about protection orders given to survivors of domestic violence presenting for emergency trauma care; as reported at the one-month visit; (ii) to obtain a profile of violent incidents and injuries; and (iii) to assess self-esteem and posttraumatic and depressive symptomatology in the aftermath of injury.Methods : A survey of 62 participants presenting in the acute aftermath of domestic violence (as defined by the Domestic Violence Act of 1998) was conducted over 12 weeks at the Trauma and Resuscitation Unit of a Level One trauma centre in an urban public hospital in South Africa.1 Following informed consent; face-to-face structured interviews were conducted during admission and a month later. The following instruments were administered at baseline: a Demographic and Injury Questionnaire; the Beck Depression and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventories; and the Davidson Trauma Scale. A psychosocial questionnaire was administered at the one-month follow-up. Results : Fifty-eight per cent of the participants were female and 42 were male. Seventy-four per cent of the perpetrators were male. Ninety-five per cent of the participants said that no health professional had informed them about where or how they could find help. Although all were seriously injured; 76 of the participants said only the researcher had asked about their experience. Sixty-six per cent of the cases of domestic violence were related to intimate partner violence. Overall; subjects displayed high levels of depressive and post-traumatic stress symptomatology that had neither been treated nor adequately referred. Conclusion Even though domestic violence poses significant health threats and costs to the health system; it appears to be a neglected area of South African health care. Health professionals should at least be able to identify and intervene within the ""open window"" period when psychosocial opportunities are pivotal."