Psychological intimate partner violence among female healthcare workers in Nigeria: prevalence and correlates

Psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common but often under-recognised form of gender-based violence, particularly among women in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence on the burden and associated factors of psychological IPV among female healthcare workers in Nigeria remains limited, despite the potential implications for well-being and workforce performance. This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of psychological IPV among female healthcare workers in a Nigerian facility. A cross-sectional study was conducted among female healthcare workers in a tertiary health facility in southwest Nigeria. Psychological IPV was assessed using an adapted Psychological Partner Abuse (PPA) scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the distribution of psychological IPV scores, while bivariate analyses examined associations between psychological IPV and selected socio-demographic characteristics. Participants’ informed consent and ethical approval were obtained. Of the 284 respondents included in the analysis, 98.2% scored within the mild range of the psychological abuse scale. The mean total PPA score was 38.79 ± 9.84 (possible range: 21–147), indicating that reported experiences were predominantly clustered near the lower threshold of the mild category. Jealous/control and ignoring behaviours were the most commonly endorsed dimensions, largely at mild severity levels. Psychological IPV scores were significantly associated with marital status and ethnicity, whereas occupation and years of service were not. Psychological IPV symptoms were widely reported across socio-demographic groups among female healthcare workers in this setting, with most reported experiences clustering at mild levels close to the scale threshold. These findings underscore the importance of increased awareness, routine screening, and accessible support mechanisms within healthcare institutions, while recognising the exploratory nature of the observed associations.