title: Intimate partner violence among women of childbearing age in a primary health care centre in Nigeria.
abstract: This study assessed the prevalence and characteristics of intimate partner violence among women of childbearing age in a primary health centre. With interviewer-administered questionnaire, information on partner violence was elicited from three hundred women of childbearing age selected by systematic sampling in a primary health care (PHC) centre. Over 40% had experienced violence within the last 12 months. Type of marriage and partner's education had effect on violence. Perceived reasons for violence were economic demand (56.1%), reproductive issues (42.5%), alcohol and drugs (61.2%). Forty eight per cent reported to family members. Only 1% reported to the Police. Intimate partner violence is a prevalent public health problem in eastern Nigeria. Health workers and social organisations should recognise the problem and offer necessary support, and women should be empowered to navigate through the problem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B. 5025, Nnewi.
authors.forename: Amobi L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ilika
authors.forename: Prosper I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Okonkwo
authors.forename: Prosper
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adogu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008393:Marriage / Q000208:ethnology; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*