PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AMONG HIGH SCHOOL FEMALE STUDENTS IN ALETA WONDO TOWN, SOUTH EAST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Gender Based violence is a worldwide problem and it is frequently occurred in low resource countries like Ethiopia. The psychosocial and health impacts of violence include depression, anxiety, stress, undesirable pregnancy, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections and leads to maternal morbidity and mortality.
METHODS: Institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted. A structured and pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect the data from 370 study participants. The data were entered with Epi info version 3.5.3 software and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0 for further analysis. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to identify associated factors. P values <0.05 with 95% confidence level were used to declare statistical significance.
RESULT: A total of 370 respondents participated in the study with a response rate of 96.7%. The overall prevalence of gender-based violence among the students during the life time was 68.2% with 95% CI [63.3 - 73.0]. The prevalence of physical, psychological and sexual violence was 56.14% [95% CI: 51.061.3], 34.8% [95% CI: 30.0-40.0] and 26.3% [95% CI: 21.7-30.8] respectively. The analysis indicated that respondents having boyfriends [AOR=2.16(95%CI; 1.09, 4.25)], and having habit of drinking alcohol (AOR = 3.69(95% CI, 1.42, 9.58) were more likely exposed to gender-based violence than others.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This study has found that the prevalence of gender-based violence was over two- third among female students in the study area. The prevalence of physical, sexual and psychological violence in their lifetime and current among female students was high. Therefore, it is recommended that gender-based valance needs due attention and remedial action from policy makers, district officials, high school and other concerned bodies. Gender based violence is associated with certain variables such as having a close boyfriend and drinking alcohol.
KEYWORDS: Gender, violence, high school, Ethiopia
(Ethiopian Journal of Reproductive Health; 2019; 11;2:35-44)