PREVALENCE, PATTERNS AND PERCEIVED HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF ECONOMIC ABUSE AMONG WOMEN WORKING IN FORMAL AND INFORMAL SECTORS IN WARRI, DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Economic Abuse (EA) is a form of interpersonal violence that is multi-factorial in nature. Despite progress in women's economic activities, many still suffer from economic form of abuse. In the last few decades, sexual, physical and psychological violence have gained much recognition in Nigeria. However, EA has not been given the same attention. This study was therefore conducted to assess and compare the prevalence, patterns and perceived health consequences of EA among women working in the Formal Sector (FS) and Informal Sector (IS) in Warri, Nigeria. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among 680 women (340 FS and 340 IS) of reproductive age. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. Respondents comprised indigenes and non-indigenes from two Local Government Areas (LGA) in Warri metropolis. In each LGA, four out of ten formal organisations and four out of nine informal trade unions were selected through simple radom sampling. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on the knowledge, prevalence, patterns and perceived health consequences from respondents. A respondent was considered economically abused if a man restricted her right or access to economic resources or activities either at home or work place. Affirmative response to at least one or the 18 questions on EA constituted EA. Maximum obtainable score for knowledge on EA was 18. Scores ≥15 and <15 were categorised as adequate and inadequate knowledge of EA respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. The level of significance was set at 5%. Mean ages of respondents were 36.8±9.3 and 30.0±9.0 years for FS and IS respectively. The FS and IS women from indigenous ethnic groups were 67.1% and 77% respectively. Women working in the FS had more tertiary education (74.4%) compared with IS women (10.3%). More FS (10.9%) compared to IS women (7.1%) had ≥20 years work experience. The proportion of women with adequate knowledge was significantly different for FS (79.1%) and IS (62.6%). The difference in prevalence of EA was insignificant between FS (59.4%) and IS (55.9%). Perpetrators of violence in ES were mainly partners (46.5%) while for the IS only 9.1% indicated partners. The commonest forms of EA experienced by women were partner's refusal to contribute financially to family upkeep (FS: 25.6%) and men dominating women financially (IS:29.1%). The major perceived health consequences reported by FS and IS women were emotional disturbances (21.2%) and physical injuries (45.9%) respectively. The IS women with high levels of education (secondary OR :2.2, 95% CI:1.2-3.9 and tertiary) OR:3.6, 95% CI:1.4-8.9) were at greater risk of EA. The FS women from non-indigenous ethnic groups (OR:3.1, 95% CI: 1.7-5.6) and those with ≥20 years work experience (OR:3.4, 95% CI:1.3-8.7) were significantly more at risk of EA. The prevalence of economic abuse is high among women in both formal and informal sectors in Warri and also among the non-indigenous ethnic groups.