Title: Sexual violence among female high school students in Debark, north west Ethiopia.

POPLINE Document Number: 168837

Author(s):

Worku A
Addisie M

Source citation:

East African Medical Journal, 2002 Feb;79(2):96-9.

Abstract:

A school-based cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the prevalence, outcome and awareness of sexual violence among high school female students in Debark Town, northwest Ethiopia. 216 female high school students, grade 9-11 were included for the quantitative study. For the qualitative data, 16 individuals for the focus group discussion (10 well-recognized female figures in the town and 6 high school students) and head of the police department for in- depth interviews were enrolled. 62% of the respondents had heard of sexual violence committed on young females. Sexual violence was reported by 65.3% of the respondents. The prevalence of performed and attempted rape were 8.8% and 11.5%, respectively. The age range of performed rape victims was between 12 and 21 years. Of the 19 (8.8%) who reported rape being performed on them, unwanted pregnancy, suicide attempt, vaginal discharge and abortion were the consequences in 21%, 15.8%, 10.5% and 5.3%, respectively. Sexual violence is a major public health problem with high rates of underreporting. Sex education should be given on a regular basis and policy making bodies and the police be well aware of this high magnitude and take strong measures to reduce it. (author's)

Keywords:

Ethiopia
Research Report
Interviews
Prevalence
Adolescents, Female
Students
Women
Violence
Rape
Secondary Schools
Developing Countries
Africa, Eastern
Africa South of the Sahara
Africa
Data Collection
Research Methodology
Measurement
Adolescents
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Education
Behavior
Crime
Social Problems
Schools