ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Domestic violence is the intentional and persistent abuse of anyone in the home in a way that causes pain, distress or injury. The effects of domestic violence can be devastating and long lasting especially on children and adolescents. Children are often principal victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence leads to serious consequences on the psychological, social, academic, behavioural and emotional development of children. Children who witness domestic violence are at a risk of emotional, physical and academic harm. It therefore becomes imperative that it is looked into.
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain amongst secondary school students in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Benin city, the effect of domestic violence on their health and the implication of domestic violence on their academic performance.
METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out amongst 393 secondary school students in Ovia-North East Local Government Area, Edo State, to assess the effect of domestic violence and its impact on the health and academic performance of the students. A multi-staged sampling method was used and a well-structured self-administered questionnaire was utilized for this study. The questionnaire was divided into sections that seek to answer the study objectives. The results are presented in tables and the level of statistical significance set at p < 0.05
RESULTS: The study revealed that 55% secondary school students had good knowledge of domestic violence, Males (62.1%) were found to have better knowledge of domestic violence compared to females. Domestic violence was experienced more amongst male students (81.6%).Those who had fathers with primary level of education experienced domestic violence (86.2%) the highest compared to others while those with fathers with tertiary level of education experienced domestic violence the least (24.5%).Those who had mothers with no level of education experienced domestic violence (86.2%) higher compared to others while those with mothers with tertiary level of education experienced domestic violence the least (25.3%). About (87.3%) was revealed to have experienced psychological effect due to domestic violence, (58.3%) was revealed to have the physical effects while (97.8%) were affected academically due to domestic violence.
CONCLUSION: Domestic violence had serious implications on the health and academics of secondary school students. Low level of education of the caregivers contributed greatly to domestic violence amongst our respondents. There is need for adequate measures be put in place to ensure its prevalence is reduced.
RECOMMENDATION: Proper health education on domestic violence should be given by the government to parents using various means of mass communication in basic ways they can understand.
Keywords: Domestic violence, Academic performance, violence, Edo state.
