Abstract

Background: Domestic violence against women is on the rise in Nigeria, with two out of every three women experiencing familial abuse, and many do not report abuse due to social humiliation and ridicule. This study, therefore investigated women's knowledge, perceptions, and preventive practices on domestic abuse in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 women in Port-Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria, was derived from a population of 669,732 inhabitants. Data was collected using a pretested semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 23.0 to generate descriptive and inferential statistics at a p < 0.05 level of significance.

Results: The mean score for knowledge was 5.18 ± 2.25. More than half, (48.8%) of the respondents had moderate level of knowledge as regards to domestic violence, (55.4%) of the respondents had low perception towards domestic violence, and (64.6%) of the respondents had low preventive practices regarding domestic violence. There was a positive significant relationship between knowledge of domestic violence and preventive practices. (r = 0.15**, p = 0.002) and between perception of domestic violence and preventive practices. (r = 0.32**, p < 0.001). **, Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

Conclusion: Knowledge and perception have a significant impact on women's preventative behaviors among this study population. It was recommended that women in the study region should be educated and enlightened by the local government responsible for human affairs, and that key stakeholders should launch awareness programs to sensitize women about domestic abuse as soon as possible.

Keywords: Knowledge, Perception, Domestic Violence, Preventive Practices, Women Abuse