Wegu Nimani and Belayneh Hamdela
Background: Sexual violence is a serious public health problem affecting millions of girls throughout the world. A wide range of sexually violent acts can occur in different circumstances and settings. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of sexual violence and identify associated factors among female high school students in Butajira town, South Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study using quantitative data collection method was carried out in high schools in Butajira town from June 4-6, 2012. A total of 332 study subjects were selected from all female students in Butajira and Mekicho Millennium schools using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaire. The data were entered into SPSS window version 16.00 and descriptive, binary, and multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out.
Result: Three hundred thirty two female students participated in the study. The lifetime and current year prevalence of sexual violence was 109 (32.8%) and 55 (16.6%) respectively. The lifetime prevalence of completed and attempted rape was 4 (1.2%) and 14 (4.2 %) respectively. Life time sexual violence was associated with having boyfriend or husband [AOR (95%CI)=0.15(0.07, 0.30)], family control [AOR (95%CI)=1.92(1.16, 3.17)] and witness about parental violence [AOR (95%CI)=0.49 (0.29, 0.83)]. Unwanted pregnancy, depression, suicidal ideation, poor academic achievement, rejection from family and friends were some of the consequences of sexual violence.
Conclusion and recommendation: Sexual violence is a public health problem among female students in the study area. Physical, psychological and social effects of sexual violence were common. Thus, programs should aim to solve the problem among female students involving the men/boys in interventions since most of the perpetrators were males.
