Factors Influencing Domestic Violence Among Married Couples of 15 - 49 Years of Age in Yei Town Central Equatorial State (South Sudan).

Abstract

Around the world, global prevalence of domestic violence indicates that 35% of women world- wide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime (WHO, 2014). Although domestic violence can affect both men and women, women are more vulnerable than men in that as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by intimate sexual partners (WHO, 2014). A cross-section study was conducted among married women in the age group of 14-49 years in Yei town of South Sudan involving a sample size of 200 respondents. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 16.0. The results of the study indicated that 48% of the women involved in the study had ever experienced domestic violence and 84% had heard of domestic violence occurring within their area where they are living. The most common forms of domestic violence included physical abuse and sexual abuse. Other forms of abuse were emotional, psychological and economic abuse. The individual factors associated with domestic violence were sex, level of education, duration of marital status and attitude towards domestic violence. The socio-economic factors influencing domestic violence were average monthly income and existence of socio-cultural beliefs that support domestic violence. Therefore, the study indicated that the level of domestic violence in Yei town of South Sudan was high. There is need for community sensitization by both government and other development partners on the occurrence of domestic violence, the causes and the effects on family and society as a whole. Couples and families need to undergo regular counseling and dialogue training sessions organized by government or religious institutions to empower couples to solve their family issues without the use of violence.