Domestic violence and its implications on pre-school children's performance in curricullar activities in Kengeleni zone, Mombasa county, kenya

Abstract

In the past two decades, there has been growing recognition of the prevalence of domestic violence in our society. Moreover, it has become apparent that some individuals are at greater risk of victimization than others. Domestic violence has adverse effects on individuals, families and society in general. The purpose of this study was to establish the factors influencing domestic violence and its implications in regard to performance of children in pre-school. The objectives were based on prevalence, forms, effec and factors determining domestic violence. The study was guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecosystem theory. Descriptive survey research design was employed using a group of children victims of domestic violence and a similar number of those not affected. The study was conducted in Mombasa County, Kenya which was purposively sampled due to high incidences of domestic violence experienced in the County in the recent past and specifically in Kengeleni Zone. The instruments were tested for validity and reliability using content validity and the spearman correlation, respectively. Questionnaires for the pre-unit teachers and assessment tasks for pre-unit children were used to gather data. The sample size consisted of 8 pre-units, 24 pre-unit teachers and 100 pre-unit children. Data analysis and presentation was done using percentages, frequency tables and graphs. The findings of the study provide the required information on the prevalence which stands at an average of 89.6%, forms of domestic violence such as physical, sexual, emotional, verbal and economic abuse; and causes of the vice namely; marital conflicts, socio-economic factors, alcohol, drug and substance abuse, low level of education and illiteracy. The effects of domestic violence were unearthed through responses given in the teachers' questionnaire and the assessment task for the pre-school children which portrayed a negative effect on their performance in terms of creativity, memory, reasoning, eye-hand coordination and concentration. Some recommendations have been given such as advising the elite in society in collaboration with government officials like the area chief to come up with combative measures to eradicate brewing and selling of illicit brews and if implemented, it is anticipated that cases of domestic violence will be minimized or eradicated and children's performance in pre-school shall be enhanced