ATTITUDE, AWARENESS AND PERCEIVED IMPACTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMONG WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE ATTENDING PRIMARY HEALTH CENTERS IN OGBOMOSO NORTH, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Domestic violence is violence or other abuse that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. It can assume multiple forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, reproductive, or sexual abuse. This study assessed the knowledge, awareness and effect of domestic violence on childbearing women in LAUTECH teaching hospital Ogbomoso. A descriptive design was used in this study. Convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 156 respondents. A predesigned self structured questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection. Pertinent literatures were reviewed which includes: textbooks, journals, past research works and internet sources.101(64.7%) of the respondents has above average level of knowledge about domestic violence while 55(35.3%) of the respondents has below average level of knowledge about domestic violence. majority 112(71.8%) of the respondents were aware of domestic violence while 43(28.2%) of the respondents claimed ignorant of domestic violence. majority 106(67.9%) opined that bruises, injuries and lacerations, miscarriage and pre-term labour among pregnant women, depression, suicide, anxiety and panic disorder, homelessness, isolation, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy are perceived effects of domestic violence while 50(32.1%) did not opine. Two hypothesis tested revealed that there is significant difference between the level of education and the knowledge of domestic violence among childbearing women in LAUTECH teaching hospital Ogbomoso also there is significant difference between the socioeconomic status and awareness of domestic violence among childbearing women in LAUTECH teaching hospital Ogbomoso. In conclusion, it was recommended that more sensitization should be made about domestic violence to the public.