TITLE:
Prevalence and associated factors of sexual violence among private college female students in Bahir Dar city, North Western Ethiopia
AUTHORS:
Bizuayhu Shimekaw, Berihun Megabiaw, Zelalem Alamrew
KEYWORDS:
Sexual Violence; Female College Students; Bahir Dar City; and Ethiopia
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.6,
June
20,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background: Despite
the higher risk victimization of young women in Ethiopia, the prevalence of
sexual violence and its determinants among college students were scarce, particularly
in the study area. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and
associated factors of sexual violence among female private college students in
Bahir Dar city. Methods: A cross
sectional study was conducted in April 2012 among 541 female college students
in Bahir Dar city using multistage
sampling technique. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used. The
data were analyzed in bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis
with SPSS version 16 soft ware package. Result: The study revealed that the prevalence of sexual violence
among female college students was 37.3%. Respondents whose childhood background
from rural areas were more than four times likely to have had sexual violence
(AOR = 4.51, 95%CI: 1.67 - 12.16). The odds of sexual violence were higher for
those respondents who had a close friend who drank alcohol (AOR = 3.13, 95%CI:
1.09 - 8.97). Besides, respondents who had never discussed on reproductive
health issues with their parents were more than four times likely to have had
sexual violence (AOR = 4.36, 95%CI: 1.40 -13.56). Conclusion: This study shows that sexual
violence among female college students is higher. Sexual violence is associated
with certain variables such as rural childhood residence, having a close friend
who drank alcohol, and not discussing reproductive issues with parents.
Therefore, it is recommend ed that sexual violence needs due attention and
remedial action from policy makers, college officials, parents, students and
other concerned bodies.