Influence of Educational Background and Religion among Women on the Occurrence of Intimate Partner Violence in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Education and religion of couples are seen as important correlates of intimate partner violence. This study investigated the influence of educational background and religion on the occurrence of intimate partner violence among women in Ekiti State, with the aim of addressing demographic factors that could influence the increased cases of intimate partner violence against women within the State.

The study was a descriptive research of the survey type. The sample consisted of 2100 women in Ekiti State. The sample was selected through Multistage sampling procedure. An adapted close-ended questionnaire was used to measure the variables investigated. Face and content validity of the instrument were ensured. Reliability of the instrument was ensured and a coefficient of 0.85 obtained. Hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance.

Findings showed that educational background F_cal(27.444) and religion F_cal(41.936) significantly influenced the occurrence of intimate partner violence among women in Ekiti State.

There is a need for women to improve their educational status by attending adult education classes and parents could ensure that the girl-child is educated up to the tertiary level to make them less vulnerable. There is also a need for enlightenment and reorientation programmes among religious leaders.