PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF ECONOMIC ABUSE AMONG MARRIED WOMEN IN BENIN CITY
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Economic abuse is a form of intimate partner violence characterized by control, restriction, or exploitation of a partner’s access to financial resources, thereby limiting autonomy and reinforcing dependency. It is increasingly recognized as a significant public health and human rights issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where sociocultural norms often reinforce gender inequality. In Nigeria, economic abuse remains underreported despite its impact on women’s wellbeing and economic independence. Given its far-reaching consequences, this study assessed the prevalence and determinants of economic abuse among married women in Benin City.
METHODS: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 530 married women in Benin City, Edo State. A multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data were collected using pretested structured self or interviewer-administered questionnaires adapted from the Scale of Economic Abuse (SEA-12), alongside focus group discussions for qualitative insights. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics summarized variables, while Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests assessed associations. Logistic regression analysis identified predictors of economic abuse, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Confidentiality and voluntary participation were strictly maintained throughout the study.
RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 43.0 ± 11.5 years. Majority were aged 25–44 years 289 (54.5%), married in monogamous unions 503 (94.9%), and of middle socioeconomic status 343 (64.7%). The prevalence of economic abuse was high, with 440 (83.0%) of respondents reporting at least one form. The most common manifestation was economic control, particularly being made to ask or beg for money 248 (56.4%), followed by decision-making without consultation 186 (42.3%) and financial monitoring 185 (42.0%). Employment sabotage and economic exploitation were less commonly reported. Overall, 207 (54.9%) of respondents had poor knowledge of economic abuse despite 377 (71.1%) having heard of it. Bivariate analysis showed that respondent age (χ²=10.835, p=0.013), knowledge of economic abuse (χ²=3.867, p=0.049), and husband’s age (χ²=6.971, p=0.031) were significantly associated with experience of economic abuse. Sociocultural norms, particularly expectations of women’s financial submission, were also significantly associated (χ²=4.302, p=0.038). Higher prevalence was observed among women aged 25-59 years, particularly 45-59 years, compared to younger and older age groups. Similarly, women whose husbands were aged 45-59 years had a higher prevalence compared to those with younger or older spouses. Other factors such as education, income, socioeconomic status, and employment status were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Multivariate analysis identified duration of marriage and knowledge of economic abuse as significant predictors. Increasing duration of marriage was associated with reduced odds of economic abuse (OR=0.947; 95% CI: 0.911–0.986; p=0.007), while respondents with poor knowledge were nearly twice as likely to experience economic abuse (OR=1.937; 95% CI: 1.153–3.253; p=0.012). Sociocultural findings revealed that 311 (58.7%) of respondents perceived husbands as primary financial decision-makers, 283 (53.4%) reported expectations of financial submission, and 373 (70.4%) indicated that women are encouraged to tolerate financial abuse. Financial dependency 230 (43.4%) and patriarchal norms 108 (20.4%) were key perceived drivers. Qualitative findings reinforced these, highlighting male dominance, religious justifications, and normalization of abuse. Coping strategies were largely adaptive, including engaging in informal income activities, borrowing, silent endurance, and reliance on personal financial contributions to sustain the household.
METHODS: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 530 married women in Benin City, Edo State. A multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data were collected using pretested structured self or interviewer-administered questionnaires adapted from the Scale of Economic Abuse (SEA-12), alongside focus group discussions for qualitative insights. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics summarized variables, while Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests assessed associations. Logistic regression analysis identified predictors of economic abuse, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Confidentiality and voluntary participation were strictly maintained throughout the study.
RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 43.0 ± 11.5 years. Majority were aged 25–44 years 289 (54.5%), married in monogamous unions 503 (94.9%), and of middle socioeconomic status 343 (64.7%). The prevalence of economic abuse was high, with 440 (83.0%) of respondents reporting at least one form. The most common manifestation was economic control, particularly being made to ask or beg for money 248 (56.4%), followed by decision-making without consultation 186 (42.3%) and financial monitoring 185 (42.0%). Employment sabotage and economic exploitation were less commonly reported. Overall, 207 (54.9%) of respondents had poor knowledge of economic abuse despite 377 (71.1%) having heard of it. Bivariate analysis showed that respondent age (χ²=10.835, p=0.013), knowledge of economic abuse (χ²=3.867, p=0.049), and husband’s age (χ²=6.971, p=0.031) were significantly associated with experience of economic abuse. Sociocultural norms, particularly expectations of women’s financial submission, were also significantly associated (χ²=4.302, p=0.038). Higher prevalence was observed among women aged 25-59 years, particularly 45-59 years, compared to younger and older age groups. Similarly, women whose husbands were aged 45-59 years had a higher prevalence compared to those with younger or older spouses. Other factors such as education, income, socioeconomic status, and employment status were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Multivariate analysis identified duration of marriage and knowledge of economic abuse as significant predictors. Increasing duration of marriage was associated with reduced odds of economic abuse (OR=0.947; 95% CI: 0.911–0.986; p=0.007), while respondents with poor knowledge were nearly twice as likely to experience economic abuse (OR=1.937; 95% CI: 1.153–3.253; p=0.012). Sociocultural findings revealed that 311 (58.7%) of respondents perceived husbands as primary financial decision-makers, 283 (53.4%) reported expectations of financial submission, and 373 (70.4%) indicated that women are encouraged to tolerate financial abuse. Financial dependency 230 (43.4%) and patriarchal norms 108 (20.4%) were key perceived drivers. Qualitative findings reinforced these, highlighting male dominance, religious justifications, and normalization of abuse. Coping strategies were largely adaptive, including engaging in informal income activities, borrowing, silent endurance, and reliance on personal financial contributions to sustain the household.
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