ASSESSMENT OF CAUSES OF DOMESTIC CONFLICTS AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AMONGST RESIDENTS OF A SEMI-URBAN SETTING IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Authors

  • Onyemocho AUDU Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria
  • Hemen Moses UNANDE College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria
  • Abdulrazaq Abdullahi GOBIR Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • John Omale Don Department of Sociology, Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
  • Suday Asuke Department of Community Medicine, Bingham University, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Conflict, Causes, Management Strategies, Semi-urban Communities, Nigeria.

Abstract

Conflicts have attracted definitions and divergent opinions by different authorities in different field of endeavors locally and internationally over the last two previous centuries. These have resulted to different approaches and or practice to the recognition and handling of conflicts among individuals and communities. This study examined the causes of domestic conflicts and the management strategies applied by residents of Logo 1, a semi-urban community in north central Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional community based descriptive study was carried out on 237 household heads residing in the community through a systematic sampling technique. Data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0.Results: Eighty five percent of the respondents had experienced at least one form of domestic conflict. Co-sharing of facilities and amenities (100%), refusal to pay for utility bills (94.9%), and unsanitary residential environments (85.2%) were the major causes of conflicts. Management strategies employed include reporting to the police (41.6%), community duty bearers (23.3%) or confrontation of the involved parties (17.3%).Conclusion: Domestic conflicts experienced by the residents of Logo 1 community were mainly due to insufficient domestic facilities and the desperation of the tenants to have access/ control over these resources. A significant number of them resolved to using external parties instead of cooperative disposition of parties involved, thereby increasing their chances of suffering the consequences of conflicts. Therefore, awareness campaigns should intensified in the community to promote utilization of internal mechanisms of conflicts resolution rather than resorting to external help.

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Published

2017-07-02