Prevalence and determinants of emotional, physical, and sexual Intimate Partner Violence in urban Lagos, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health and human rights concern affecting women globally. In Nigeria, entrenched social norms and cultural acceptance of male dominance contribute to its high prevalence. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of emotional, physical, and sexual IPV among women residing in an urban Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 502 women who had been married/cohabiting for at least 2 years. Respondents were selected via multi-stage sampling. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires adapted from the WHO multi-country study questionnaire on women’s health and life experiences. Data was analysed using univariate, bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression. Results The mean age of the women was 37.4 ± 8 years. The mean age of women’s partners was 44.4 ± 8.7 years. Overall, 83% of women had ever experienced some form of IPV and 51.8% in the past year. Emotional IPV was most common (78% ever, 47.8% past year), followed by physical (54% ever, 27.5% past year) and sexual IPV (18% ever, 9.4% past year). Cohabiting women and women married for 2–10 years had higher odds of emotional IPV and any IPV. Women with no formal education [aOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.04–0.67] were less likely to experience any IPV. Women whose partners were younger [aOR 6.91, 95% CI 2.21–21.66], engaged in extramarital relationships [aOR 2.30, 95% CI 1.29–4.10], had significantly higher odds of any IPV. Women whose partners drank alcohol daily/nearly every day [aOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.10–4.3] were more likely to be victims of physical IPV. Poor partner communication doubled the likelihood of physical IPV, and women whose partners’ mothers had experienced violence were more likely to experience physical IPV. Women with negative attitudes toward gender roles were at greater risk of experiencing any form of IPV. Conclusion This study found a high prevalence of intimate partner violence among women in urban Lagos. Targeted interventions should focus on high-risk groups and be complemented by broader, multi-sectoral efforts to challenge gender norms, empower women, and strengthen legal and health-system responses.