Spousal Violence in Southwest Nigeria: Prevalence and Correlates

Abstract

Spousal violence is increasingly a health issue all over the world, especially in Africa where an unhealthy mix of tradition, inequality and ignorance aggravates the scourge. Despite numerous interventions from human right groups and NGO’s, the problem is still widespread. This study investigates the prevalence of two forms of spousal violence- physical and sexual violence and its correlation among the people of Southwest Nigeria. Data was collected from 300 ever married or cohabiting women through an interview method, and it was processed with SPSS to generate simple percentages and logistic regression estimates. The sample was selected through multistage stratified random sampling technique across all the states of Southwest Nigeria. Spousal violence was measured using a Shorthand and Modified Conflict Tactics Scale. The result indicated spousal violence prevalence rate of 47.3% for ever experience of spousal violence, and 32% for spousal violence prevalence in the 12months preceding the survey. The common forms of physical violence are: kicking/pushing- 31%, slapping-15.5% and arm twisting/throwing things at-14.1%; while the most common form of sexual violence is forced intercourse with 12.7% and 11.5% for ever experience and experience within the 12 months preceding the survey respectively. The experience of spousal violence varied substantially with number of living children, educational levels of women, union status and women’s attitude towards wife beating. The paper concluded that there is a need for massive girl child education and the enlistment of social, political, religious and other leaders in speaking out against spousal violence.