Causes of domestic violence in families today: a case study of Kijungu village, in Nyamityobora Parish, Kakoba Sub-County, Mbarara District

Abstract

The study was carried out in Kijungu village in Nyamityobora Parish, Kakoba sub-county Mbarara District. The objective of the study was to assess the causes of domestic violence in Uganda. The research methodology for the study was descriptive cross-sectional research design. The sample size was 30 respondents and both stratified and simple random sampling techniques were applied in selecting the respondents who were included in the sample. The researcher used questionnaires to collect data and data was analysed using SPSS version 25 at univariate and bivariate levels. The study found out that gender has a significant influence on domestic violence (p-value = 0.000). It also found out that occupation status has a significant influence on domestic violence (p-value = 0.003). Study findings also revealed that alcohol consumption/drug abuse has a significant influence on domestic violence (p-value = 0.000). more so, the study findings indicated that poverty status of the family has a significant influence domestic violence. Lastly, the study findings indicated presence of legal structures in the community has a significant influence on domestic violence. The study concluded that respondents experienced physical violence through being pushed, shaken, or being thrown at something, slapped, kicked and dragged or beaten. The study also concluded that the domestic violence is influenced by gender, occupation, poverty status, legal structures and alcohol consumption since their p-values were less than 0.05. The study recommended that laws should be set protecting women from domestic violence since they are highlighted as the most affected group of people.