A scoping review of men’s experience of domestic violence and support provision in West Africa.

Abstract

Background: Domestic violence against men is a significant but often overlooked issue in West Africa. This scoping review aimed to determine men's experience of domestic violence and support provision in West Africa.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted using multiple databases, including Google Scholar, EBSCO (Medline), PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. Relevant grey literature sources were also included. The search identified 1,293 studies, which were screened based on eligibility criteria. Ultimately, 18 studies were included.

Results: The scoping study revealed a dearth of research pertaining to the occurrence of domestic abuse against males in the region of West Africa. The study's results unveiled the prevalence of domestic violence against males in different regions, highlighting the presence of diverse patterns and manifestations influenced by cultural and socioeconomic factors. Within the population of male victims, obstacles to the act of disclosing their experiences and seeking assistance were identified as societal stigma, inadequate comprehension, and a dearth of available support resources. The impact of domestic abuse on men's well-being is evident, encompassing psychological distress, physical health challenges, and disrupted social interactions. Nevertheless, it was discovered that the provision of support services for male victims was insufficient in terms of accessibility and availability. The experiences of male victims were influenced by gender norms and societal expectations.

Conclusion: This scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on men's experience of domestic violence and support provision in West Africa. The findings highlight the need for further research, gender-inclusive policies, comprehensive support services, and multi-sectoral collaborations to address the gaps and challenges identified. By adopting a public health approach and integrating domestic violence screening and intervention within healthcare settings, the well- being and safety of male victims can be better addressed.