Magnitude and Consequences of Sexual Violence among Female High School and Preparatory School Students in Goba Town, Southeast Ethiopia

Violence towards female students in school is devastating and is worldwide. Unsafe learning environment is among the reasons that girls discontinue their studies. In developing world where economic imbalance are extreme, literacy rates are low, basic universal education a goal rather than a reality and HIV pandemic often shocking, the question of violence against women and its impact on education and health is particularly curial. Objective of The aim of the study was to assess the magnitude of sexual violence and its consequences among female high school and preparatory students in Goba town. An institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 296 female students. Pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Systematic random sampling was used to select the participants. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 22 and association of dependent and predictors using variable was declared at 95% CI on P<0.05 Result, Around 96 (32%) of the participants had experienced unwanted sexual acts like verbal jokes before joining high school , 70(23.3%) experienced after joining school and 70(23.3%) in the past 12 months. Vaginal discharge 19(26%), reported abortion 14(19.2%), reported injury on genitalia 13(17.8%) and swelling around the genital 12(16.4%) were major reported consequences of sexual violence. In this study the magnitude and consequences of sexual violence is high. Majority of the perpetuators were students. Therefore, schools and other concerned bodies should aware students on sexual violence and its consequences, Health is particularly curial.

Author(s): Tilahun Ermeko Wanamo, Ahmed Yasin Mohammed, and Abate Lette Wodera

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