ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EXPERIENCE OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND CONTRACTING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG CURRENTLY MARRIED WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important public health issue that occurs worldwide and is associated with adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes including sexually transmitted infections (STis). STis have recently gained more recognition worldwide because it increases the risk for HIV infection. However, there is dearth of information on the association between IPV and STis particularly among currently married women. This study therefore aimed to determine the association between IPV and STis after controlling for significant risk factors for STis among currently married women in Nigeria. This study involved a secondary data analysis of the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) dataset. This was a national survey which used a cross sectional population based study design. The primary data obtained from the survey was collected with interviewer administered questionnaires using a stratified two-stage cluster sampling technique in the selection of the respondents. Based on the random selection of one woman per sample household who responded to questions from the domestic violence module questionnaire and who were currently married, a final sample size of 18402 was obtained. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 19. Frequency tables were used to show the distribution of respondents by the variables of interest. Values were expressed as absolute numbers and percentages while appropriate diagrams were also generated. Chi-square test was done to determine associations between STI and independent variables at 5% level of significance. Thereafter, independent variables that were significant at the 10% level of significance were included in multiple logistic regression models to identify risk factors for STis. Results: The prevalence of IPV among currently married women in Nigeria was 29.3%. Majority of the women experienced emotional violence (22.1 %), 17.3% of the married women experienced physical violence while the least experienced form of violence was sexual IPV (4.4%). In addition, majority (17.6%) of the married women experienced just one type of IPV. The experience of multiple types of IPV was also demonstrated such that 8.8% of the married women experienced two types of IPV and 2.9% experienced all three types of IPV. A small proportion (7.2%) of married women had a recent history of STI with genital discharge being the most prevalent symptom. Currently married women who had tertiary education, had ever terminated a pregnancy, had ever had more than one sexual partner, had an early age at sexual debut, drank alcohol during the last sexual intercourse, and lacked autonomy in making decisions had the greatest risk of contracting STis. Logistic regression also revealed that after controlling for other covariates, currently married women who experienced any form of IPV were found to be 1.3 times more likely to report STI than currently married women who did not experience any form IPV. In addition, physical and sexual violence experienced by currently married Nigerian women remained significantly associated with history of STis. There was also a demonstrated significant association between experiencing two or three types of IPV and STis. There is a need to incorporate IPV screening and services in gynaecologic clinic settings as well as screening for STis among women who present with IPV particularly multiple forms of violence.