ENORMITY AND PATTERNS OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AT KENYA MEDICAL TRAINING COLLEGE CAMPUSES

Abstract

Purpose: To unravel the socio-demographic factors, assess knowledge, awareness and institutional factors that are associated with gender based violence at KMTC campuses.
 Methodology: A semi structured questionnaire was utilized to conduct a cross-sectional descriptive study of 302 participants, yielding to 300 responses.
 Findings: The study findings divulged that (81) 27% of 302 participants had experienced Gender Based Violence (GBV) at the institution and its community. Majority of the respondents were aged 31 years and above. The predictors of GBV at KMTC among staff with statistically significance were: Level of education (χ2 (df=4) =72.54, p=0.01), the type of GBV especially sexual and economic abuse (χ2 (df=4) =72.57, p=0.00), lack of GBV policy in place and lack of GBV recovery centres p=0.00 respectively. In conclusion level of education, the type of GBV, lack of GBV policy in place and lack of GBV recovery centres were pin pointed as the most imperative prognosticators that were associated with GBV.
 Unique contribution of theory, practice and policy: The study recommends KMTC as a government institution to strengthen the policies already in use about GBV at the college, to health educate its staff about GBV especially sexual and physical abuse via workshops and seminars, to set up GBV recovery centres in every region of Kenya in the respective major campuses and employ qualified staff who can be able to provide GBV services such as counselling, screening and treatment to its staff, students and community at large.