Sexual Violence among Female Street Adolescents in Addis Ababa, April 2000

Abstract

Background: Violence against women is an important public health problem not only because of the physical injury that may result but also because of potentially harmful health behaviors that may be triggered in response to violence. The health consequence on women due to gender-based violence is a serious problem worldwide, which has devoid of women from participating in socio-economic development. The severity of the problem and scarcity of studies in this area prompted the undertaking of this study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude and consequences of rape, (included attempted rape), to describe life skills of escaping the attempt, to assess the attitudes of male street adolescents towards rape and factors associated with sexual violence among female street adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 654 female street adolescents. Additionally, four focus group discussions (FGD) among male street adolescents were undertaken to assess attitudes of male street adolescents towards rape in Addis Ababa from April-July 2000. The data were analyzed using EPI6 and SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences).

Results: The quantitative study revealed that the prevalence of rape among female street adolescents in the last 3 months was 15.6%, attempted rape 20.4% and unwelcome kiss 16.4%. The most popular way of escaping the attempt was yelling. Rape was significantly associated with living alone (OR=8.5, 95% CI=2.0,36.5). Unwanted pregnancy, abortion, STDs, and psychological, problems were reported as consequences of rape. This study has showed that girls in the street are at a high risk of rape, therefore serious attention must be paid in order to control this problem.


[Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2002;16(2):119-128]