Introduction

This study explored the motivations for and relationship dynamics that may promote girls’ vulnerability for intimate partner violence and sources of support reported in unhealthy relationships among girls residing in low-income communities in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods

Focus group discussions (n = 14; 122 girls) were conducted among girls aged 15–19 years, who reported having been in a relationship lasting at least 3 months. Girls were recruited from schools and worksites where partner violence has been reported in high proportions. Data were analysed using conceptual content analyses and independently coded by two researchers.

Results

Adolescent girls reported keeping their relationships secret from their parents. While girls reported that sometimes relationships were out of love, relationships were also often motivated by girls' financial need. The financial and secretive nature of these relationships appeared to place girls at risk for intimate partner violence, with sexual coercion, resulting in multiple adverse social and health outcomes, including sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy. Girls reported that leaving an abusive relationship is especially difficult when girls rely financially, were sexually involved, pregnant, or have had a child with the male partner. Friends/peers, rather than girls’ family, were often the source of support for intimate partner violence.

Conclusion

Early identification of unhealthy relationships and supporting girls to be financially independent appear to be critical to reduce vulnerability to violence. Peer-based interventions may be most appropriate, given that girls’ friends, rather than parents, were most often the source of support for intimate partner violence and other relationship challenges.

中文翻译：

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尼日利亚伊巴丹低收入社区女孩与男性伴侣的关系动态：暴力风险和健康相关后果

介绍

本研究探讨了可能促进女孩易受亲密伴侣暴力侵害的动机和关系动态，以及居住在尼日利亚伊巴丹低收入社区的女孩之间不健康关系中报告的支持来源。

方法

焦点小组讨论（n = 14；122 名女孩）在 15-19 岁的女孩中进行，她们报告说他们的关系至少持续了 3 个月。女孩是从据报道伴侣暴力行为比例很高的学校和工作场所招募的。使用概念内容分析对数据进行分析，并由两名研究人员独立编码。

结果

青春期女孩报告称，他们对父母保密。虽然女孩们报告说，有时关系是出于爱，但关系也往往是出于女孩的经济需要。这些关系的财务和秘密性质似乎使女孩面临亲密伴侣暴力和性胁迫的风险，导致多种不利的社会和健康结果，包括性传播感染和意外怀孕。女孩报告说，当女孩在经济上依赖、性行为、怀孕或与男性伴侣有孩子时，离开虐待关系尤其困难。朋友/同龄人，而不是女孩的家人，往往是亲密伴侣暴力的支持来源。

结论

及早发现不健康的关系并支持女孩在经济上独立似乎对于减少遭受暴力的脆弱性至关重要。鉴于女孩的朋友，而不是父母，往往是亲密伴侣暴力和其他关系挑战的支持来源，基于同伴的干预可能是最合适的。