INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONG WOMEN WITH GYNAECOLOGIC HEALTH CHALLENGES AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL, IBADAN, NIGERIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) are sexual, psychological, financial and physically coercive acts used against individuals who are at increased risk and constitute a vulnerable group. Women with gynaecologic health challenges may be at increased risk. Objective: To assess the prevalence of IPV, its pattern, predisposing factors and its impact on the health seeking behaviour among women with gynaecological diseases attending the gynaecologic clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among women with intimate partners who attended the gynaecologic clinic at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. A pretested semi-structured intervieweradministered questionnaire was used for data collection. Information obtained included sociodemographic characteristics, gynaecologic diagnosis and structured questions to assess their exposure to the different forms of IPV- psychological, physical, sexual, verbal and financial abuse from their intimate partners. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 25. Chi square test and multiple logistic regression were used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics of the women and their partners and the occurrence of IPV. The level of significance was set at p <0.05. Results: A total of 231 respondents participated in the study. Among the respondents, 141 (61%) had experienced at least a form of IPV. About a half (49.8%) of the women suffered psychological abuse. About two-thirds (60.3%) of the victims reported the abuse to their relatives and/or friends, while none reported to a formal authority. About a quarter of IPV victims (26.8%) were less than 5 years in their relationship, and IPV decreased with increased duration of the union. Identified predisposing factors of statistical significance were low socio-economic status (p=0.019), polygamous family setting (p=0.019), being divorced/separated (p=0.001) and partner's alcohol/cigarette use (p=0.031). Conclusion: Women attending gynaecologic clinic suffer various forms of IPV. Healthcare providers should actively screen women during medical evaluation in the clinics. Concerted efforts must be made to prevent it, encourage prompt reporting through formal channels when it occurs and decisively address it.