Association between intimate partner violence and utilisation of maternal health services in Nigeria

This study examines the relationship between intimate partner violence and utilisation of maternal healthcare services. Data was extracted from the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Data were analysed using the STATA. Results show that: 15.6% of the women have ever experienced at least one type of physical violence; 4.1% of the women have ever experienced at least one type of sexual violence; and 22.4% of the women have ever experienced at least one type of emotional violence. The logistic regression show that women who have ever experienced emotional violence were: 24.2% less likely to utilise skilled antenatal care (OR=0.7578,p<0.001); 36.0% less likely to have facility delivery (OR= 0.6399,p<0.001); and 37.3% less likely to have skilled assistance during delivery (OR= 0.6272,p<0.001). The study suggested the need for a special public health programme that will focus on persons entering into marital unions at adolescence.