Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence, Associated Risk Factors, and Effectiveness of Reporting Systems Among University Students in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Intimate Partner Violence is a growing public health and human rights problem, signifies one of the most severe violations of human security globally. Aim: This study is to assessed the experiences of Intimate Partner Violence, associated risk factors, and effectiveness of reporting Systems Among University Students. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 undergraduate students. Participants were selected using a three-stage sampling technique. Data were collected with a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27 and level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Descriptive statistics summarized the data. Results: A total of 368 respondents participated in the study, 292 (79.3%) age group of respondents was 18 – 22 years with mean age (SD) = 21.4 ± 4.0, 284(77.2%). Most 313(84.8%) of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge (>60%), while only a few 55(15.2%) had poor knowledge (<60%). About a quarter, 100(27.2%) reported to have experienced at least one form of IPV on campus, 332(90.2%) believed that alcohol or drug usage contributes significantly to IPV on campus and only 96(26.1%) of respondents had good knowledge of the official reporting procedures for sexual violence on campus. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence and of Intimate Partner Violence while only of the respondents had experienced of Intimate Partner Violence. Majority of the respondents had been in a relationship between 1-5 years while a few were homosexual and bisexual. Government at all levels should enact laws and policies aimed at discouraging Intimate Partner Violence.