GENDER BASED VIOLENCE EXPERIENCED BY PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINICS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS IN ABUJA

Abstract

Gender Based Violence (GBV) is any physical, sexual, psychological, economic or socio-cultural harm perpetrated against someone which is as a result of power imbalance or distinction based on gender. Anecdotal records have shown that there is increasing prevalence of GBV in northern Nigeria. Little is known about the extent and magnitude of this phenomenon as it affects pregnant women. This study determined the prevalence and types of violence experienced by women attending ante-natal clinics in Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional design. A three stage sampling techniques was used to select 300 participants from six hospitals in the three out of six local government areas in the city. The instruments for data collection were a validated semi-structured questionnaire, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and an In-depth Interview (IDI) schedule. Eight FGDs- four among pregnant women and four among married men were conducted. Four IDIs were conducted among health workers, a community leader and a lawyer. Data from the questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while those from the FGDs and IDIs were transcribed and analysed using the thematic approach. The mean age of the participants was 29.7±3.9 years. Forty three percent of the respondents had experienced at least one form of violence. Of those who had ever experienced violence, 32.2% were unemployed, 23.3% were housewives, 19.7% were civil servants and self employed while 4.9% were professionals (p<0.05). The forms of violence experienced were as follows: psychological (38.0%); physical (36.4%); sexual (13.2%); and financial (12.4%). Of those who had suffered economic violence, more than three-quarter had been married for 2 to 5 years. Most of those who suffered physical violence were the unemployed (32.0%) and housewives (23.8%), spouses (89.1%) and sister-in-law (6.2%) were the main perpetrators of the forms of violence. Partners of women who had ever suffered violence were the self employed (27.7%), professionals (25.5%), civil servants (21.3%) and farmers (10.6%). Alcohol abuse was reported as a cause of violence among 14.7% of the respondents. About 15.0% of the respondents were experiencing violence in their current relationships. The types of violence experienced were physical and psychological. Coping strategies for violence included dialogue with spouse (46.7%), ignoring the experience (30.3%), making up with sex (16.7%), and providing gifts with special dishes (5.0%) and mediation by family members (1.3%). Wife battering was adjudged to be the most common form of violence against pregnant women among both FGD discussants and in-depth interviews. There was also unanimity of opinions among the FGD discussants and IDI interviews that GBV cannot be eradicated but can only be controlled. Gender based violence was common among pregnant women in the study area. Health promotion and education intervention strategies such as counseling, male involvement in sexual and reproductive health programs, advocacy for the promotion of women’s health and rights as well as use of appropriate culturally sensitive conflict resolution strategies are needed to ameliorate the situation.