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Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been increasingly recognised as a major public health and human rights problem that cuts across all populations, irrespective of social, economic, religious or cultural groups. The high prevalence of IPV among women of reproductive age shows that it is an important problem that women would rather not talk about or have accepted as a norm. It is associated with poor physical and mental health of women who are victims. It is therefore recommended that physicians routinely screen for IPV especially in patients with depressive symptoms, miscarriage and physical injuries. Screening will be a safe and cost-effective means for identifying women experiencing IPV, leading to appropriate interventions that will decrease further exposure to IPV and its adverse health consequences.

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Dr Salihu Tanko is a Consultant Family Physician with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. He was awarded Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Med College in 2014. He is an advocate for women and children, is passionate about helping victims of violence to find healthy perceptions of themselves.

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