Relationship between Intimate Partner Violence and Depression among Women of Childbearing Age Attending a Maternal Health Service in Port Harcourt

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has been recognized as public health issue with negative sequelae among women of child bearing age. The relationship between IPV and depression is yet to be explored in Nigeria. Thus, this study sought to examine the association between IPV and depression after adjusting for socio-demographic factors. This study was a cross-sectional study involving 160 women of child bearing age at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria. History of IPV was present if the woman's current or previous intimate partner in the preceding 12 months had slapped or thrown anything at her;pushed or shoved her; hit her with a fist or another object; or threatened or attacked her with a gun, knife, or other weapon. The Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), a validated tool was employed in the assessment of depression. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed at 0.05 significant level. The prevalence of IPV was 8.8% (n=14). Seventy-one of the women in the study had depression (44.4%). Depression was significantly higher among women with history of IPV (92.9%) in comparison to those without IPV (39.7%) (Chi Square=14.610; P=0.0001). Women of child bearing age who experienced IPV were significantly more likely to experience depression than those without IPV (Adjusted Odds ratio=19.76; 95% CI: 2.46-158.52) after controlling for socio-demographic characteristics. Intimate partner violenceis significantly associated with depression among women of child bearing age irrespective of their socio-demographic characteristics. Public health interventions targeted at curbing IPV needs to be instituted in Nigeria. Keywords: intimate partner violence, domestic violence, depression, women of child bearing ag