Intimate partner violence during pregnancy: do women’s socio-economic status and household decision making autonomy matter?

Bosede Oyinloye, Obafemi Awolowo University
Ayodeji Kupoluyi, Obafemi Awolowo University
Sulaimon Adedokun, Obafemi Awolowo University

Violence against pregnant women has many adverse health consequences for the woman and fetus; yet, data linking socio-economic correlates and household decision making roles on IPV against pregnant women are extremely limited in developing countries like Nigeria. Hence, this study examines whether women with low socio-economic status and household decision making are more prone to IPV in relation to pregnancy. Using the 2013 Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data, frequency distribution, chi-square test and binary logistic regression were performed on representative sample of 21,196 ever-married women. Results showed that women whose husband solely decide on their own health were 1.6 times more likely to have experienced IPV during pregnancy (p<0.05). Also, the proportion of women who have experienced IPV during pregnancy increased in the North East (OR= 3.3 p<0.05) and significantly influenced by women’s age and religion. The study therefore, suggests that spousal communication be strengthened among couples in Nigeria.