Factors Influencing Disclosure of Intimate Partner Violence among Young and Middle Aged Women (15-50 Years) in Selected Primary Health Centers, Oyo State

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious global public health problem and contributes significantly to high rate of domestic violence. IPV remains the most prevalent form of violence against women (VAW) worldwide; and global estimates of VAW suggest that 35% of all women will experience either IPV or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the factors influencing disclosure of intimate partner violence among women aged 25-50 years in selected Primary Health Centres, Oyo State. This study is a descriptive research survey design conducted among young and middle age women in selected primary health care centres, Ibadan North-West Local Government Area, Oyo State between August and September, 2021. Sample size was calculated using Leslie Kish formula and the total number of sample used were three hundred and five (305) women. Facilities were selected using multistage sampling technique while the samples were selected using convenient sampling technique. A structured questionnaire on factors influencing intimate partner disclosure with reliability index of 0.75 was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation while inferential statistics of chi-square was used to test stated hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed high prevalence of intimate partner violence among women, majority of women were willing to disclose intimate partner violence with their family, pastors or imam. However, reason for non disclosure were attributed to the fact that they have never experience intimate partners before, intimate partner violence has become normal things among couples, fear of being stigmatized and that disclosing the violence will not change anything. Factors influencing the disclosure of intimate partner violence include dependence on partner for financial support, societal views about intimate partner violence, level of education , years of relationship, presence of children, religious belief, fear of worse outcomes, social support , access to information about intimate partners violence , feeling of embarrassment/shame, taking intimate partners as normal and societal status of partners, were identified as factors influencing intimate partners disclosure among young and middle age women. This study concluded that many young and middle age women experienced intimate partner violence and many of them are willing to disclose it to others. Therefore, awareness about intimate partner violence and the dangers of non-disclosure should be created among women.