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Abstract
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IEA World Congress of Epidemiology 2021 - Scientific Program Abstract
Background
Poor reporting and help seeking has contributed to the burden of IPV. However, identified barriers to IPV help-seeking include social, economic and cultural factors. This study assessed the pattern and factors associated with help-seeking by women who experienced IPV in Nigeria.
Methods
Complex sample analysis of 2,033 women of reproductive age who had ever experienced IPV from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), was done to determine social, economic and cultural factors that predict IPV help-seeking among these women.
Results
Mean age of the women was 31.5 ± 7.8 years, a third (33.3%) had sought any form of help, 36.6% had full healthcare and 33.4% had full financial autonomy respectively. Help from partner's family and women's family were the most prevalent source of help sought (11.5% & 23.1% respectively). Women ≥ 40 years were 37% less likely to seek help compared to young persons (OR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.42-0.92). Women with childhood experience of violence had higher odds (42%) of seeking help for IPV than those with no childhood experience (OR = 1.42; 95 % CI = 1.08-1.85).
Conclusions
Majority of women experiencing IPV do not seek any form of help. Age and childhood experience of violence are significant predictors for help-seeking by victims of IPV.
Key messages
IPV remains a hidden issue as majority of victims are not seeking help.
Efforts to make appropriate help for IPV victims should be intensified and commenced from childhood.
Language: en |