Reaching out to men in ending intimate partner violence: a qualitative study among male civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of male civil servants in Ibadan, Nigeria about the perpetration of IPV and to document their suggested measures to prevent IPV in our communities in Nigeria.

METHODS

Four focus group discussions were conducted among 36 male civil servants selected from Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan using purposive sampling technique. Data were transcribed and analysed using thematic approach.

RESULTS

Six major themes were identified; awareness of the forms of IPV, women and men as victims, causes, attitude, consequences as well as the suggested strategies for the prevention of IPV. Physical and psychological abuse were mentioned across the groups. The respondents pointed out that women experience IPV more than men, but that men also experience it. Some respondents stated that physical and psychological abuse against female intimate partners were acceptable in some circumstances according to the societal norms. The negative effects of IPV on physical, mental and social well-being of the individual, families and society were mentioned. Suggested ways of preventing IPV include tolerance and patience which will promote healthy, respectful and non-violent relationships among intimate partners.

CONCLUSION

Considering the perceptions and attitudes of these men to IPV, it is important to reach out to both genders for appropriate preventive and educational intervention in ending IPV among women and men.

CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PERPETRATION OF VIOLENCE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN DELTA STATE PRISONS

Background

Violent acts perpetrated by young people can cause physical and psychological harm to others and is of serious public health concern. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of childhood trauma, and to assess the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and other predicting factors, and the perpetration of violence among young adults in Delta state prisons.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted amongst 293 youths who were convicted prison inmates in Delta State Correctional facilities. Three out of the five facilities in Delta State were selected using simple random sampling, after which a total sampling of incarcerated inmates from the three selected facilities was carried out. Data were collected using the; Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) to measure adverse childhood experiences, and a proforma to classify the offence of the inmate (whether violent or non-violent).

Results

The mean age of the respondents was 28.4 ± 5.4 years. The overall prevalence of childhood trauma was 5.1%. The most common abuse/neglect experienced while growing up was physical neglect with 26.3% followed by emotional neglect (20.5%), physical abuse (7.2%), emotional abuse (2.4%) and sexual abuse (1%).The prevalence of violent offences was 46.1%. Age, (OR=0.3; CI= 0.2-0.6, p=0.001), attaining primary education (OR=3.4; CI= 1.5-7.8, p=0.004) and having witnessed violence while growing up (OR=2.0; CI= 1.2-3.3, p=0.007) were all significant predictors of the perpetration of violence.

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of childhood trauma was low; however, the perpetuation of violence was found to be high in this study. Further research is required to develop study instruments for childhood trauma that are more context specific bearing in mind local sociocultural practices.

A Comparative Assessment of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration among Male Military Personnel and Civil Servants in Ibadan, Nigeria

The mode of training and work of the military personnel is different from that of civil servants and may affect their relationships with their intimate partners. This study assessed and compared the prevalence and correlates of self-reported Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) perpetration against female partners by male military personnel and civil servants in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria. A cross sectional survey of 1240 respondents, comprising 631 military personnel and 609 civilians, was conducted using a multistage sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the respondents' characteristics and the different types of IPV perpetrated by them. Chi square test was used to compare the proportions of the different types of IPV perpetration and logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of IPV perpetration in the two study groups. Military personnel reported significantly more IPV such as physical abuse, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors than the civil servants. Childhood exposure to inter-parental IPV and history of physical fight with another woman significantly increased the odds of perpetration of each type and any form of IPV in the two populations after controlling for other variables. Military personnel were significantly more likely to perpetrate any form of IPV than the civil servants. IPV was prevalent in both groups but was more among the military personnel. There is a need for multidisciplinary interventions such as psycho-education and conflict management skills to address violence against female intimate partners especially among the military population in Nigeria.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH INDICATORS IN NIGERIA

The impact of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic cuts across all sectors and has brought to the fore the true realities and status of health systems globally, revealing the gaps and cracks even in seemingly perfect health systems. The fragile and weak health system in the country is also riddled with a lot of sub-optimal health indicators including reproductive health. It is important to anticipate and look out for these effects in order to plan for and ensure early detection and necessary intervention to mitigate such. This paper discusses the potential effect of COVID-19 on reproductive health indicators in Nigeria. The reproductive health indices of a population have far and wide reaching impact on the health status of the population. However, reproductive health indicators are usually among the worst hit during health emergencies or disasters as seen in the Ebola pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Interventions must be put in place so that the pandemic does not set Nigeria back from the marginal gains made in reproductive health over the years.

Pattern of intimate partner violence disclosure among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in Oyo East Local Government, Nigeria

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health problem. Despite being a phenomenon that occurs globally, few studies have reviewed the issue of intimate partner violence among pregnant women as it relates to disclosure of abuse. This study sets out to determine the prevalence and pattern of disclosure of intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Oyo East Local Government of Oyo State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study among pregnant women aged 18–49 years. A total of 350 pregnant women in the sole secondary health care facility and 3 out of the 18 primary health care facilities randomly selected by balloting were consecutively recruited. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the WHO Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence was used to collect data. Data were analysed with SPSS® version 16. Results: Of 252 (72.0%) women who had been exposed to violence by their partner in pregnancy, 72 (28.6%) disclosed their IPV experience. The experience was disclosed to relatives, friends and religious leaders. Of the 72 that disclosed their IPV experience, 31 (43.1%) reported for the purpose of seeking redress through religious or local leaders, healthcare professionals and law enforcement agencies. Conclusion: Intimate partner violence is common among pregnant women, but a culture of silence still persists, making identification of the exposed difficult. These data may encourage healthcare providers to include screening for IPV in the curriculum of the antenatal care. (Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2016.1272245

Dysmenorrhea and Its Effects on School Absenteeism and School Activities among Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background

Menstruation can be associated with dysmenorrhea that may affect daily activities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea, effects on school activities, and associated school absenteeism among secondary school girls in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods

This cross-sectional study was among 460 students from all girls' only secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria, using a cluster sampling method. Data were collected using questionnaires and focus group discussions. The severity of dysmenorrhea was categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests performed to determine significant associations. Level of statistical significance was set at 5%.

Results

Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and school absenteeism was 73% and 13.1%, with the severity of dysmenorrhea being 37.5%, 43.8%, and 18.8% for mild, moderate, and severe dysmenorrhea. Other school activities affected were as follows: class concentration, class participation, social, and sports activities (17.6%, 12.2%, 10.9%, and 4.6%). Main sources of medication for pain relief were family (15.8%) and self (13.7%). Age and duration of menstruation predicted dysmenorrhea (odds ratio [OR] =3.5, confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-9.7, P = 0.019), (OR = 1.7, CI = 1.1-2.6, P = 0.022), whereas severe dysmenorrhea predicted school absenteeism (OR = 4.2, CI = 1.7-9.9, P = 0.001). Respondents opined that analgesic drugs should be available in school to prevent school absenteeism.

Conclusion

Prevalence of dysmenorrhea was high and severe dysmenorrhea played a role in school absenteeism. Health education should be provided to address the dangers of self-medication while drugs for pain relief should be available in schools.

Prevalence and Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence among Male Civil Servants in Ibadan, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Intimate Partner violence (IPV) is one of the common forms of violence against women and is a global public health problem that transcends social, economic, religious and cultural groups. It is often perceived as a private problem or a normal part of life but it contributes greatly to morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and correlates of intimate partner violence by male civil servants in Oyo State Secretariat Ibadan, Nigeria.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a multi-stage sampling technique. A total of 609 respondents completed a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 18 and STATA version 12. Chi-square statistic was used to test associations between categorical variables and predictors of perpetration of intimate partner violence were determined using logistic regression model at a level of statistical significance of 5%.

RESULT

The mean age was 38.8±9.9 years and about 74.5% were married. The prevalence of IPV perpetration in the 12 months preceding the study was 66.0%. The prevalence of controlling behaviour was 52.2%, psychological abuse - 31.2%, sexual violence - 23.0%, and physical violence - 11.7%. The predictors of perpetrating any form of IPV included previous history of physical fight with another woman [OR: 2.4 (95% CI: 1.30-3.40)], having a negative attitude towards wife beating [OR 2.5 [95% CI: 1.85-3.42], childhood exposure to parental IPV [OR: 2.1 (95% CI: 1.30-3.41)] and use of alcohol [OR: 1.6 (95% CI: 1.14-2.15].

CONCLUSION

The different types of IPV were prevalent among the male civil servants, despite their educational status. Strategies to stop IPV should include male education to change attitudes that encourage violence in relationships to use of non-violent conflict resolution strategies. Education should also include the dangers of alcohol abuse and involvement in physical fights.

HIV/AIDS stigma among primary health care workers in Ilorin, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Stigma and discrimination pose major obstacles to accessing care and support by People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Information on HIV stigma and discrimination towards PLWHA among Nigerian health workers has mainly been at higher levels of care. This paper examined HIV stigma and discrimination at the primary health care level with the objective of identifying its occurrence and determinants among health workers at this level.

METHODS

A total sample of all health care workers (341) at the primary health care level in Ilorin, Kwara State were surveyed via questionnaire between July and August 2007 to obtain information on their sociodemographic characteristics and the four domains of stigma viz: fear of casual transmission of HIV, shame and blame, discrimination and disclosure.

RESULTS

Majority of the respondents had fear of casual transmission of HIV (87.7%), exhibited shame and blame (89.4%), reported observing discrimination against PLWHA by other health workers in their facilities (97.7%) and believed that disclosure of patients HIV status to health workers was imperative. Nurses/midwives were more likely to have fear of casual transmission of HIV and believe that disclosure of HIV status of patients was imperative. Respondents who had received in service training were less likely to exhibit shame and blame (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Stigma occurred in all stigma domains among this group of health workers but previous training was found to play a role in the reduction of shame and blame. Training of health care workers within the context of the various stigma domains is advocated.