Experience of Violence among Deaf Girls in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Background: Women with disabilities have been observed to be more vulnerable to exploitations of various kinds such as domestic violence, exploitation at workplace and sexual harassment. The experience of violence among deaf girls who form a sizable chunk of the disabled has not been adequately explored and documented in Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 167 deaf girls selected from all the special schools and out-of-school settings in Ibadan metropolis using a combination of convenience and total sampling methods. Data was collected using a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire in sign language. Analysis of the data was using descriptive statistics, chi square and logistic regression. Results: Mean age was 17.5±3.4 years and 87.4% had experienced at least one form of violence. Types of violence experienced included mental/psychological (32.4%); bullying (24.7%); physical (22.6%) and sexual (18.5%). Forms of violence experienced included being made fun of because of deaf status (32.4%) and being left out of activities on purpose or completely ignored (13.2%). Teachers (45.1%), fathers (28.6%) and neighbours (12.1%) were the main perpetrators of physical abuse while the perpetrators of sexual violence were neighbours (50.0%), teachers (37.5%), fathers (7.5%) and step fathers (5.0%). Experience of any type of violence was higher among respondents who were older (91.7%), out-of-school (88.9%), and those not working for pay (100.0%) though not significant. Respondents who are out-of-school are more likely to suffer any type of violence compared with those who are in-school (OR= 1.2, C.I= 0.32 – 4.32) and those older than 16years are more likely to experience any type of violence than those younger than 16years (OR=1.4, C.I=0.55-3.69). Conclusion: There is therefore the need for sensitization and preventive interventions targeting deaf girls to ameliorate the situation.