Community-based Intervention to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Southwest, Nigeria

Overview

Background: Intimate partner violence is arguably the most prevalent, persistent and pernicious type of violence against women, all around the world. It also has significant repercussions for women's health, yet, in some parts of the world, considered an acceptable practice within intimate partner relationships. Community-based interventions, on the other hand, offer promises as a strategy that can get community members involved in working to prevent IPV. This study evaluated a community mobilisation intervention to challenge attitudes toward IPV and prevent violence within intimate relationships. Methods: This mixed-method randomised community trial was conducted in selected rural communities in Oyo State, Nigeria, between January 2018 and April 2021. It employed a six-month community mobilisation intervention focused on creating awareness and challenging harmful social norms relating to IPV. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions and two cross-sectional surveys were conducted among men and women of reproductive age who were married at baseline and end line to estimate changes in key outcomes. Difference-in-difference regression models were estimated to compare changes in IPV levels in the intervention and control arms. Conclusion: This trial should demonstrate the effectiveness of community mobilisation interventions to change attitudes supportive of IPV and prevent women's experience of IPV.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is arguably the most pernicious, pervasive, and persistent form of violence against women worldwide. It is an abuse of women's fundamental human rights and a public health concern. Experience of IPV by women has been associated with a mixture of both noticeable and frequently unnoticed outcomes, negatively affecting their health and wellbeing. The prevalence of IPV is high in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is considered an element of the unwritten rules underpinning intimate relationships. Interventions that challenge these social norms are still evolving; community mobilization interventions, on the other hand, offer some potential in moderating the attitudes that permit or promote IPV. This study evaluated the effect of a community mobilization intervention on attitudes toward social norms that influence IPV in selected rural communities of Oyo State, Nigeria. Methods: In a randomised community trial conducted in 8 rural communities of Oyo State, Nigeria, a six-month community mobilization intervention that consisted of advocacy to stakeholders, community workshops and small group discussions in 6 selected communities was tested compared with no intervention in the 2 control communities. To engender community participation and sustainability of the intervention the investigator recruited and trained members of the community as 'Model Couples'. Community leaders, community health workers were also engaged to speak against IPV. Both the 'Model couples' and community leaders addressed topics like gender and power dynamics, IPV and its consequences, law prohibiting all forms of violence against women, social norms that influence IPV, and need to take action for change. The intervention was tested among women of reproductive age, using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. The study outcomes were attitudes toward social norms associated with IPV and experience of IPV. For the collection of quantitative data, a modified WHO women's health questionnaire was used, while an interview guide was developed for the collection of the qualitative data. Conclusion: This trial should show community mobilization intervention as a strategy that can reduce women's experience of IPV and change attitudes toward IPV.