Increasing violence against persons worsening Nigerians health

Head, Department of Community Medicine, Ibadan College of Medicines, Professor Eme Owoaje had decried increasing incidence of violence against persons in the country, warning of its immense effect on health and wellness.

Owoaje, one of the discussants at the 5th Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), scientific meeting on the theme “Violence Against Persons” stated that violence cuts across all age groups, gender and professions.

According to her, “a research study among medical students, for example, found that abuse was commoner in surgical rotation, including obstetrics and gynaecology units.”

Owoaje, who remarked that globalisation, was also bringing up other forms of violence such as online bullying and sextexting, declared said that abused persons end up sustaining physical injury, depressed, develop alcohol and tobacco use problems as well as experience anxiety and behavioural problems.

She declared that the community and society suffer when there is violence against persons and loss of productivity at home and work.

Owoaje, therefore, urged parents to be mindful of what their children are exposed to as well as the empowerment of girls to ensure that they do not end up with violent spouses.

The don also called for health service delivery that is sensitive and responsive to the different ongoing forms of violence, adding that risk factors for violence such as gender equity should be addressed.

Dr Iyabode Olusanmi, a public health physician and UNICEF’s former representative to Ghana said that 1.2 billion persons are affected by violence every year according to World Bank.

The expert, who quoted World Health Organisation as saying that about one million dies as a result, lamented that about 80 per cent of violent deaths in Nigeria occur from armed conflicts.

Olusanmi, noting that violence against women was the most widespread, but least recognised human right abuse, said about 28 per cent of women have experienced at least one violence once by age 15 in Nigeria.

The public health expert linked cases of violence against women to factors such as cultural beliefs and violent upbringing, adding that six out of every 10 children also experience violence.

MWAN root president, Dr Olulola Oladapo, in her welcome address, said the economic meltdown and recession was escalating tension and aggression in the country, aside the myriads of social upheaval with internal and external displacement.

She, therefore, urged Nigerians to develop coping strategies and tools to strengthen individuals and families, especially vulnerable children and women, against violence.

Earlier, former President, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Kayode Obembe, who chaired the event, described violence against women as a violation of human right and an obstacle towards good health.