Individual, household, and community level factors associated with intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age in Nigeria: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
- 1Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State Nigeria
- 2Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a public health and human rights concern globally, with significant consequences for women’s health and wellbeing. Understanding the factors associated with IPV is essential for targeted interventions in Nigeria. This study examined individual, household, and community-level factors associated with intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age in Nigeria using the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).
Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed a weighted sample of 20,202 Nigerian women aged 15–49 years, extracted from the 2024 NDHS datasets. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression were conducted using Stata 17. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of IPV was 23.4% (95% CI: 22.4%–24.4%). Women aged 20–29 years had higher odds of IPV compared to adolescents. A non-linear association with education was observed: primary and secondary education were associated with increased IPV, whereas higher education was not significant. Marital status showed the strongest association, with markedly higher odds among separated (AOR = 6.02, 95% CI: 4.51–8.02) and divorced women (AOR = 5.56, 95% CI: 3.86–8.02) as well as among those cohabiting. Higher wealth was protective, whereas larger household size increased IPV risk. Muslim women had lower odds of IPV compared to Catholics (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.37–0.57). Significant regional disparities were observed, with lower odds of IPV in the North East and South West compared with the North West.
Conclusion: IPV affects nearly one in four women in Nigeria and is associated with factors across multiple levels. Marital status, education, and wealth emerged as key correlates, with clear regional disparities. These findings support targeted interventions for high-risk groups, particularly separated and divorced women, alongside economic strengthening and context-specific strategies addressing harmful gender norms.
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BibTeX
@article{folorunsoolabisi2026individual,
title = {{Individual, household, and community level factors associated with intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age in Nigeria: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey}},
author = {Oluyemisi Folorunso-Olabisi and Olaoti Oyeyemi Ogundare and Olubusola Caroline Olukoju and Christopher Oluwatosin Omokanye and Chinonso Mary Agrippa and Adeyemi Akeem Amuda and Kingsley Ebi Magbei and Baderinwa Opeyemi Akanji and Gift Sharon Igbaudume and Eyiyemi Toluwase Akeju and Dondo Jagusa Aatsav and Victoria Emike Ologun and Adewunmi Adedamola Oladosu-Adedoyin and Comfort Aderonke Odedeyi and Adeleye Abiodun Adeomi},
journal = {BMC Women's Health},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12905-026-04790-8},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04790-8},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Individual, household, and community level factors associated with intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age in Nigeria: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
AU - Oluyemisi Folorunso-Olabisi
AU - Olaoti Oyeyemi Ogundare
AU - Olubusola Caroline Olukoju
AU - Christopher Oluwatosin Omokanye
AU - Chinonso Mary Agrippa
AU - Adeyemi Akeem Amuda
AU - Kingsley Ebi Magbei
AU - Baderinwa Opeyemi Akanji
AU - Gift Sharon Igbaudume
AU - Eyiyemi Toluwase Akeju
AU - Dondo Jagusa Aatsav
AU - Victoria Emike Ologun
AU - Adewunmi Adedamola Oladosu-Adedoyin
AU - Comfort Aderonke Odedeyi
AU - Adeleye Abiodun Adeomi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/12
JO - BMC Women's Health
DO - 10.1186/s12905-026-04790-8
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04790-8
AB - Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a public health and human rights concern globally, with significant consequences for women’s health and wellbeing. Understanding the factors associated with IPV is essential for targeted interventions in Nigeria. This study examined individual, household, and community-level factors associated with intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age in Nigeria using the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed a weighted sample of 20,202 Nigerian women aged 15–49 years, extracted from the 2024 NDHS datasets. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable logistic regression were conducted using Stata 17. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of IPV was 23.4% (95% CI: 22.4%–24.4%). Women aged 20–29 years had higher odds of IPV compared to adolescents. A non-linear association with education was observed: primary and secondary education were associated with increased IPV, whereas higher education was not significant. Marital status showed the strongest association, with markedly higher odds among separated (AOR = 6.02, 95% CI: 4.51–8.02) and divorced women (AOR = 5.56, 95% CI: 3.86–8.02) as well as among those cohabiting. Higher wealth was protective, whereas larger household size increased IPV risk. Muslim women had lower odds of IPV compared to Catholics (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.37–0.57). Significant regional disparities were observed, with lower odds of IPV in the North East and South West compared with the North West. Conclusion: IPV affects nearly one in four women in Nigeria and is associated with factors across multiple levels. Marital status, education, and wealth emerged as key correlates, with clear regional disparities. These findings support targeted interventions for high-risk groups, particularly separated and divorced women, alongside economic strengthening and context-specific strategies addressing harmful gender norms.
SN - 1472-6874
ER -