CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC LOCK DOWN ON INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AMONGST COUPLES IN KARU NASARAWA STATE, NORTH CENTRAL, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the causes and consequences of corona virus on intimate partner violence amongst couples in Karu, Nigeria. The study was hinges on four specific objectives which include examining the extent of violence against women in Karu and the factors causing violence against women as well as ascertaining the health consequences of violence against women in Karu, Nigeria. The study used the empowerment theory to explain the social phenomenon studied. It adopted the cross-sectional survey research design. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 642 respondents. Structured questionnaire was used as the primary instrument of data collection. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings indicated that violence against women is a widespread problem with a high prevalence rate in Karu, physical and sexual types ranked amongst the most suffered forms of violence, disobedience, unfaithfulness to the husbands and neglecting marital responsibilities were major reasons for violence against women in Karu. Also, head injuries, bruises, fractures, contracting HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections  were the health consequences experienced by women in Karu. The study therefore recommended, among others, that steps should be taken t empowering women economically and educationally to make them less vulnerable to domestic violence. Also, medical experts should after physical treatment, refer victims to counselors and psychotherapists as violence phenomenon deteriorates women’s integrity, giving rise to deficient health, family and social group disorder.