Disclosure of domestic violence and help-seeking behaviours among female survivors living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Anambra State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65221/0150Keywords:
Domestic violence, Disclosure, Help-seeking behaviour, HIV, Anambra State.Abstract
Domestic violence (DV) remains a pervasive public health challenge that affects women’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Disclosure and help-seeking behaviours among survivors are critical for effective intervention and support. This study assessed the disclosure patterns and help-seeking behaviours of female survivors of DV in Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 women living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a tertiary teaching hospital. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The mean age of respondents was 37.3 ± 11.0 years. The overall prevalence of physical, emotional, sexual, and combined forms of DV was 15.3, 13.3, 8.7, and 5.0%, respectively. Among the 46 (15.3%) survivors, 13% did not disclose their experience, while 28.4% reported to parents or siblings, 19.6% to in-laws, 21.7% to religious leaders, 13% to health workers, and 4.3% to friends or social groups. No reports were made to law enforcement agencies. Most respondents (80%) received counselling, prayer, or emotional support, while 10% received financial assistance, 7.5% shelter, and 2.5% medical support. Disclosure of DV among women living with HIV in Anambra State remains suboptimal. Strengthening community sensitization, integrating DV screening into HIV care, and empowering women through accessible support services are essential for improved outcomes.
References
Adebayo AM, Uthman OA, Odu OO, Akinyemi OO (2021). Prevalence and correlates of domestic violence among women in Nigeria: Findings from a national survey. BMC Women’s Health 21(1):301.
Adesina O, Adeyemi A (2023). Underreporting of domestic violence cases in Lagos State: A cross-sectional analysis. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(1-2):NP122–NP140. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211011292
Ayodapo AO, Akinyemi OO, Awosan KJ (2022). Patterns of disclosure and help-seeking behaviour among victims of intimate partner violence in Nigeria. International Journal of Women’s Health 14: 655-664.
Charan J, Kaur R, Bhardwaj P, Singh K, Ambwani SR, Misra S (2021). Sample size calculation in medical research: A primer. Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India), 57(2):74-80.
Chirwa ED, Opondo PR, Lwanga C, Ntaganira J (2021). Domestic violence and health outcomes among women in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. BMC Public Health 21(1):2330.
City Population (2025). Anambra State, Nigeria. Available at: https://www.citypopulation.de/en/nigeria/admin/NGA004__anambra/
Devries KM, Mak JY, García-Moreno C, Petzold M, Child JC, Falder G, Watts, C (2023). The global prevalence of intimate partner violence against women. The Lancet 402(10398):1861–1874.
Ezeudu CC, Okafor IP, Nwokediuko SC (2021). Intimate partner violence and women’s health in Nigeria: A systematic review. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 25(4):45-57.
Garcia-Moreno C, Jansen HA, Ellsberg M, Heise L, Watts C (2005). WHO multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence against women: Initial results on prevalence, health outcomes and women’s responses. World Health Organization.
Hatcher AM, Smout EM, Turan JM (2022). Intimate partner violence and engagement in HIV care among women: A review of global evidence. AIDS and Behaviour, 26(2):435-446.
Khumalo B, Mabaso ML (2023). Integration of gender-based violence and HIV services in South Africa: Lessons from community health centres. PLOS ONE 18(2):e0282120.
Kilonzo SN, Kanga L, Mwangi M (2020). Support services for survivors of gender-based violence in Tanzania: Gaps and opportunities. BMC Women’s Health 20(1):189.
Mensah P, Ofori AA (2021). Domestic violence disclosure and response in Ghana: An analysis of survivor experiences. Violence Against Women, 27(11): 1965–1985.
Nanfuka EK, Kyomugisha E, Namuddu B et al. (2021). Disclosure and help-seeking among women survivors of domestic violence in Uganda. African Health Sciences, 21(3):1170-1180.
National Population Commission (NPC) [Nigeria], ICF (2022). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2021. NPC and ICF.
Ojukwu JC, Anyikwa BE (2023). The enforcement gap in Nigeria’s Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015. Journal of African Law 67(2):245-263.
Okoth C, Were F, Owino C (2022). Help-seeking behaviour among survivors of intimate partner violence in Kisumu County, Kenya. BMC Public Health, 22(1):1450.
Onah HE, Nwankwo TO, Mbachu II (2020). Barriers to help-seeking among survivors of gender-based violence in southeastern Nigeria. BMC Public Health, 20(1):1594.
Osuagwu UL, Ojo O, Ashinyo ME, Dzomeku VM, Amu H, Seidu A-A, Yaya S. (2023). Association between intimate partner violence, HIV disclosure, and adherence to treatment among women in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3):2260.
Sardinha L, Maheu-Giroux M, Stöckl H., Meyer SR, García-Moreno C (2022). Global, regional, and national prevalence estimates of intimate partner violence against women. The Lancet Global Health 10(8):e1140–e1151.
Ukueku KO, Ukoaka BM, Ugwuanyi EA et al. (2025). Improving HIV case finding using spatial data infrastructures in Anambra State, Nigeria: A pre-post intervention study. BMC Public Health 25:584.
Uzochukwu BSE, Nwobi EA, Ekwueme CO (2021). Disclosure and coping strategies among women experiencing domestic violence in Enugu State, Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal 39:147.
World Health Organization (2021). Violence against women prevalence estimates, 2018: Global, regional and national prevalence estimates for intimate partner violence against women and global and regional prevalence estimates for non-partner sexual violence against women. WHO.
Yakubu J, Haruna A, Ibrahim M (2022). Community responses and reporting patterns of domestic violence in Northern Nigeria. Global Public Health 17(4):532–544.
