Emotional, physical, and sexual intimate partner violence in urban Lagos, Nigeria: prevalence and determinants
1
Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Federal Medical Center Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Nigeria
2
Department of Primary Care, James Paget University Hospital, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk,, United Kingdom
3
Unified Initiative for a Drug Free Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health and human rights issue affecting women globally. In Nigeria, entrenched social norms and male dominance contribute to its high prevalence [1]. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of emotional, physical, and sexual IPV among women in urban Lagos.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study of 502 women married/cohabiting ≥2 years was conducted using interviewer-administered questionnaires adapted from the WHO multi-country study questionnaire on women’s health and life experiences. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression.
RESULTS:
The mean ages of women and their partners were 37.4±8 and 44.4±8.7 years. Overall, 83% had ever experienced IPV and 51.8% in the past year. Emotional IPV was most common (78% ever; 47.8% past year), followed by physical (54%; 27.5%) and sexual IPV (18%; 9.4%). The odds of emotional IPV were higher among cohabiting women, women with fewer years of marriage [aOR2.49, 95%CI 1.02-6.10], women with younger partners, and women whose partner’s had extra-marital relationships. The odds of physical IPV was higher among cohabiting women [aOR2.20, 95%CI 1.27-3.83], women who had only one child, women whose partner drank alcohol every day/nearly every day [aOR2.18, 95%CI 1.10-4.3], women whose partner was involved in physical fight with another man [aOR2.57, 95%CI 1.39-4.72], women whose partner had extra-marital relationships, women with poor spousal communication and women whose partner’s mother had been beaten by her husband. The odds of sexual IPV were higher among women with younger partners, and those whose partner’s had extra-marital relationships [aOR3.00, 95%CI 1.37-6.57]. Women with negative attitudes toward gender roles were at greater risk of experiencing IPV.
CONCLUSIONS:
IPV is highly prevalent among women in urban Lagos. Targeted interventions addressing the determinants, alongside broader strategies to challenge harmful gender norms and strengthen support systems, are essential to reduce IPV.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health and human rights issue affecting women globally. In Nigeria, entrenched social norms and male dominance contribute to its high prevalence [1]. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of emotional, physical, and sexual IPV among women in urban Lagos.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study of 502 women married/cohabiting ≥2 years was conducted using interviewer-administered questionnaires adapted from the WHO multi-country study questionnaire on women’s health and life experiences. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression.
RESULTS:
The mean ages of women and their partners were 37.4±8 and 44.4±8.7 years. Overall, 83% had ever experienced IPV and 51.8% in the past year. Emotional IPV was most common (78% ever; 47.8% past year), followed by physical (54%; 27.5%) and sexual IPV (18%; 9.4%). The odds of emotional IPV were higher among cohabiting women, women with fewer years of marriage [aOR2.49, 95%CI 1.02-6.10], women with younger partners, and women whose partner’s had extra-marital relationships. The odds of physical IPV was higher among cohabiting women [aOR2.20, 95%CI 1.27-3.83], women who had only one child, women whose partner drank alcohol every day/nearly every day [aOR2.18, 95%CI 1.10-4.3], women whose partner was involved in physical fight with another man [aOR2.57, 95%CI 1.39-4.72], women whose partner had extra-marital relationships, women with poor spousal communication and women whose partner’s mother had been beaten by her husband. The odds of sexual IPV were higher among women with younger partners, and those whose partner’s had extra-marital relationships [aOR3.00, 95%CI 1.37-6.57]. Women with negative attitudes toward gender roles were at greater risk of experiencing IPV.
CONCLUSIONS:
IPV is highly prevalent among women in urban Lagos. Targeted interventions addressing the determinants, alongside broader strategies to challenge harmful gender norms and strengthen support systems, are essential to reduce IPV.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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