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Prevalence and Causes of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Among Students in Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, Nigeria

Received: 26 May 2023     Accepted: 13 June 2023     Published: 27 June 2023
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Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a growing problem in Nigeria, with reports of cases increasing across different regions of the country. This menace has been identified to be associated with different public health challenges and problems. GBV encompasses various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, and psychological, and it disproportionately affects females, including minors. Understanding GBV among students is vital in addressing the issues relating to GBV because of the influence of education in addressing social challenges. This study, therefore, investigates the prevalence, of GBV, and identifies the causes, and perpetrators of GBV among students of tertiary institutions in Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopts a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design to study the prevalence of all forms of GBV among the study population. The study was conducted among students of tertiary institutions in Abuja, representing the three major types of tertiary institutions in the location. The sample size of 440 respondents was calculated using a scientific sample size formula for cross-sectional studies and stratified sampling was used to ensure adequate representation. A pre-tested well structured standardized questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions was used to collect data, which was analysed using simple descriptive statistics. The prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) among tertiary institutions in Abuja, Nigeria was found to be high, with 61.9% for physical abuse, 56.4% for psychological abuse, and 25.3% for sexual abuse. The most prevalent form of physical abuse is slapping, while the most prevalent form of sexual abuse is forceful kissing, and the most prevalent form of psychological abuse is insults/criticism. Teachers/instructors were found to be the most significant perpetrators of physical abuse, while non-relatives are the most significant perpetrators of sexual abuse, and fellow students/learners are the most significant perpetrators of psychological abuse. The major causes of GBV are gender norms which include traditional beliefs and practices, religious beliefs and practices, and the belief that males are superior to females. This study highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat GBV effectively. It recommends an urgent approach to combat the prevalence of GBV among the study population, engaging major stakeholders and policymakers.

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 8, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.wjph.20230802.32
Page(s) 187-194
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Gender-Based Violence, Prevalence, Causes, Tertiary Institutions Student

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Emmanuel Adewale Ojo, Ebenezer Obi Daniel, David Segun Adeniyi, Adewuyi Ojo, Patrick Ikani, et al. (2023). Prevalence and Causes of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Among Students in Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, Nigeria. World Journal of Public Health, 8(2), 187-194. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230802.32

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    ACS Style

    Emmanuel Adewale Ojo; Ebenezer Obi Daniel; David Segun Adeniyi; Adewuyi Ojo; Patrick Ikani, et al. Prevalence and Causes of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Among Students in Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, Nigeria. World J. Public Health 2023, 8(2), 187-194. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230802.32

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    AMA Style

    Emmanuel Adewale Ojo, Ebenezer Obi Daniel, David Segun Adeniyi, Adewuyi Ojo, Patrick Ikani, et al. Prevalence and Causes of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Among Students in Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, Nigeria. World J Public Health. 2023;8(2):187-194. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20230802.32

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  • @article{10.11648/j.wjph.20230802.32,
      author = {Emmanuel Adewale Ojo and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and David Segun Adeniyi and Adewuyi Ojo and Patrick Ikani and Paul Olaiya Abiodun and Michael Avwerhota and Ahmed Mamuda Bello and Israel Olukayode Popoola and Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia and Michael Olabode Tomori and Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbebon and Oladapo Michael Olagbegi},
      title = {Prevalence and Causes of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Among Students in Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, Nigeria},
      journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {8},
      number = {2},
      pages = {187-194},
      doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20230802.32},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230802.32},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20230802.32},
      abstract = {Gender-based violence (GBV) is a growing problem in Nigeria, with reports of cases increasing across different regions of the country. This menace has been identified to be associated with different public health challenges and problems. GBV encompasses various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, and psychological, and it disproportionately affects females, including minors. Understanding GBV among students is vital in addressing the issues relating to GBV because of the influence of education in addressing social challenges. This study, therefore, investigates the prevalence, of GBV, and identifies the causes, and perpetrators of GBV among students of tertiary institutions in Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopts a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design to study the prevalence of all forms of GBV among the study population. The study was conducted among students of tertiary institutions in Abuja, representing the three major types of tertiary institutions in the location. The sample size of 440 respondents was calculated using a scientific sample size formula for cross-sectional studies and stratified sampling was used to ensure adequate representation. A pre-tested well structured standardized questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions was used to collect data, which was analysed using simple descriptive statistics. The prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) among tertiary institutions in Abuja, Nigeria was found to be high, with 61.9% for physical abuse, 56.4% for psychological abuse, and 25.3% for sexual abuse. The most prevalent form of physical abuse is slapping, while the most prevalent form of sexual abuse is forceful kissing, and the most prevalent form of psychological abuse is insults/criticism. Teachers/instructors were found to be the most significant perpetrators of physical abuse, while non-relatives are the most significant perpetrators of sexual abuse, and fellow students/learners are the most significant perpetrators of psychological abuse. The major causes of GBV are gender norms which include traditional beliefs and practices, religious beliefs and practices, and the belief that males are superior to females. This study highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat GBV effectively. It recommends an urgent approach to combat the prevalence of GBV among the study population, engaging major stakeholders and policymakers.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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    T1  - Prevalence and Causes of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Among Students in Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, Nigeria
    AU  - Emmanuel Adewale Ojo
    AU  - Ebenezer Obi Daniel
    AU  - David Segun Adeniyi
    AU  - Adewuyi Ojo
    AU  - Patrick Ikani
    AU  - Paul Olaiya Abiodun
    AU  - Michael Avwerhota
    AU  - Ahmed Mamuda Bello
    AU  - Israel Olukayode Popoola
    AU  - Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia
    AU  - Michael Olabode Tomori
    AU  - Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbebon
    AU  - Oladapo Michael Olagbegi
    Y1  - 2023/06/27
    PY  - 2023
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20230802.32
    DO  - 10.11648/j.wjph.20230802.32
    T2  - World Journal of Public Health
    JF  - World Journal of Public Health
    JO  - World Journal of Public Health
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
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    AB  - Gender-based violence (GBV) is a growing problem in Nigeria, with reports of cases increasing across different regions of the country. This menace has been identified to be associated with different public health challenges and problems. GBV encompasses various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, and psychological, and it disproportionately affects females, including minors. Understanding GBV among students is vital in addressing the issues relating to GBV because of the influence of education in addressing social challenges. This study, therefore, investigates the prevalence, of GBV, and identifies the causes, and perpetrators of GBV among students of tertiary institutions in Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopts a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design to study the prevalence of all forms of GBV among the study population. The study was conducted among students of tertiary institutions in Abuja, representing the three major types of tertiary institutions in the location. The sample size of 440 respondents was calculated using a scientific sample size formula for cross-sectional studies and stratified sampling was used to ensure adequate representation. A pre-tested well structured standardized questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions was used to collect data, which was analysed using simple descriptive statistics. The prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) among tertiary institutions in Abuja, Nigeria was found to be high, with 61.9% for physical abuse, 56.4% for psychological abuse, and 25.3% for sexual abuse. The most prevalent form of physical abuse is slapping, while the most prevalent form of sexual abuse is forceful kissing, and the most prevalent form of psychological abuse is insults/criticism. Teachers/instructors were found to be the most significant perpetrators of physical abuse, while non-relatives are the most significant perpetrators of sexual abuse, and fellow students/learners are the most significant perpetrators of psychological abuse. The major causes of GBV are gender norms which include traditional beliefs and practices, religious beliefs and practices, and the belief that males are superior to females. This study highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat GBV effectively. It recommends an urgent approach to combat the prevalence of GBV among the study population, engaging major stakeholders and policymakers.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Public Health, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom

  • Directorate of Laboratory Services, APIN Public Health Initiatives, Jos, Nigeria

  • Department of Data and Information Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

  • Department of Research and Development, Institute of Communications, Development and Innovations LTD/GTE, Abuja, Nigeria

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Public Health, Atlantic International University, Hawaii, United States of America

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Western Cape, South Africa

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