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SEXUAL VIOLENCE AMONG FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN DEBARK, NORTH WEST ETHIOPIA
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the prevalence, outcome and awareness of sexual violence among high
school female students.
Design: A school-based cross-sectional survey.
Setting: Debark Town, north-west Ethiopia.
Subjects: Two hundred and sixteen 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-recognised female figures in the town and six high school students) and head of the
police department for in-depth interview were enrolled.
Results: Sixty two per cent 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.
Conclusion: 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.
school female students.
Design: A school-based cross-sectional survey.
Setting: Debark Town, north-west Ethiopia.
Subjects: Two hundred and sixteen 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-recognised female figures in the town and six high school students) and head of the
police department for in-depth interview were enrolled.
Results: Sixty two per cent 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.
Conclusion: 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.
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