HOUSEHOLD SMOKING AND INTIMATE PARTNER ABUSE IN JOS SOUTH LGA, PLATEAU STATE.

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking remains a public health concern and can be influenced within households by relatives or friends who smoke. The mental and physical repercussions of smoking can contribute to intimate partner abuse (IPA).

Objectives: This study assessed smoking in households and its relationship with IPA.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Plateau State, Nigeria. Multi-staged cluster sampling was used to select 661 household heads or adult members residing in two districts for at least six months prior to the study. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) were excluded from the study. IPA was assessed with the 30-item Abusive Behaviour Inventory. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25, which included Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression, with a significance level set at 5%.

Results: Most household heads were aged 40-49 years (mean; 44.5 ± 12.7) with 62.5% having post-secondary education. Household heads who currently smoke and households with members who smoke were 12.0% and 18.3% respectively, and the prevalence of household IPA was 58.1%. IPA was significantly higher in households with members who smoke (75.2% vs. 54.3%) and among household heads who were current smokers (79.7% vs. 55.2%). No predictive association was found between smoking by household heads or members and intimate partner abuse (IPA).

Conclusion: Household IPA is prevalent and significantly associated with smoking in household. While smoking alone may not predict IPA prevalence, integrating routine screenings for smoking and other addictive behaviors during IPA assessments at facilities or community levels is recommended.

Key message: Household intimate partner abuse (IPA) in northern Nigeria is influenced by factors such as smoking, which significantly correlates with higher IPV risk as revealed in the current study. There is a need to understand these dynamics while exploring other factors for effective screening and intervention strategies.