Relationship between Substance Use and Spousal Violence Victimization in Imo State, South-East Nigeria

1Iwuagwu, Tochi E., 1Ofuebe, Justina I., 2 Okeke, Kalu M., 1*Obayi, Benedeth A., 1Ene, Osmond C., 1Ifemegbulem, VivianMary A.,1& Ezedum Chuks E

Authors

1Iwuagwu, Tochi E., 1Ofuebe, Justina I., 2 Okeke, Kalu M., 1*Obayi, Benedeth A., 1Ene, Osmond C., 1Ifemegbulem, VivianMary A.,1& Ezedum Chuks E 1Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 2Department of Health Education, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri. Author

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between substance use and spousal violence (SV) victimization in Imo State, South East Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined: proportion of spouses victimized in the past 12 months, frequency of use of substances among pouses in the 12 past months and relationship between substance use and spousal violence victimization among spouses. Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted triangulation mixed method design. The population consisted of 1,649,032 spouses in the study area. The sample size was 1,488 (1,440 for quantitative data and 48 for qualitative data) spouses drawn using multi-stage sampling techniques. Questionnaire and focus group discussion Guide (FGD) were used for data collection. Frequency, percentage, point biserial correlation (rpb) and binary logistic regression were used for data analyses. Findings reveal that 41.1 percent of spouses were victimized in the past 12 months. Data were collected between February and May, 2022. Other findings include a strong relationship between alcohol use and SV (rpb = .611), and a positive moderate relationship between illicit drugs use and SV (rpb = .597). Substance use (OR =.041, 95% CI [.030-.056], p < .05) was significantly associated with SV victimization. Findings from the male and female qualitative exploration revealed that the participants collectively expressed that alcohol and illicit drug use contribute greatly to their spousal violence ictimization. However, SV interventions should increase focus on transforming attitudes that condone SV as normal, and enact laws hat could help reduce harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs that predisposes spouses to violence.