Women’s intimate partner violence victimization and healthcare access barriers in Nigeria: the moderating role of education

Background: This study examined how women’s educational attainment influences healthcare access in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Nigeria. It explored whether IPV and education independently predict healthcare access barriers and whether education moderates the IPV–barriers relationship, thereby clarifying education’s role in autonomy and healthcare access. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey and included a weighted sample of 7,553 women aged 15–49 years. Four perceived barriers of needing permission, obtaining money for treatment, distance to facilities, and going alone were assessed alongside measures of IPV and education. Weighted logistic regression models tested the main and moderating effects of IPV and education, adjusting for relevant sociodemographic covariates. Results: The respondents’ mean age was approximately 33 with a standard deviation of 8.23. Women experiencing IPV were significantly more likely to report barriers related to permission (AOR = 1.37, p < .001), financial constraints (AOR = 1.76, p < .001), and distance (AOR = 1.26, p < .001). Secondary (AOR = 0.54, p < .01) and higher education (AOR = 0.13, p < .01) attenuated the effect of IPV on permission barriers, while the same educational levels (AOR = 0.75, p = .042) reduced IPV-related financial barriers. Conclusions: IPV substantially heightens barriers to women’s healthcare access, whereas education serves a protective role, particularly for autonomy-related barriers such as permission and financial constraints. As the first national-level analysis in Nigeria to demonstrate education’s moderating role in the IPV–healthcare link, this study highlights the need for integrated health and education policies that empower women, promote IPV screening, and address structural and cultural barriers to care.