Etude des violences physiques et sexuelles chez les adolescentes de 10 à 19 ans au Sénégal par une approche mixte

Abstract

Introduction: Very little research has been done in Senegal on the determinants of physical and sexual violence. Hence this study on the prevalence and explanatory factors of such violence among adolescent girls aged 10 to 19.materials and methods: This research used a mixed method and targeted adolescent girls in the municipalities of Guédiawaye, Kaolack and Kolda in Senegal. The quantitative component was a cross-sectional, analytical survey based on a stratified, systematic random sample of 47 clusters of 20 adolescent girls. The data collected covered the characteristics of the household, the adolescent girls, physical and sexual violence, care for victims and awareness-raising. The qualitative component was based on a case study with a reasoned choice of targets in application of the principle of diversification. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using QDA software.results:The study covered 940 adolescent girls aged between 10 and 19, with a predominance of the 15-19 age group (50.7%). Physical and sexual violence accounted for 50.7% and 5.7% respectively. Less than one percent (0.4%) had benefited from care services. Logistic regression showed that adolescent girls living in female-headed households (ORaj=1.67 [1.17-2.38]), with more than 7 people (1.52 [1.2-2.25]), polygamous (3.07 [1.4-6.72]), were at greater risk of physical violence, unlike adolescent girls protected by the high level of education of their household head (ORaj=0.54 [0.32-0.91]). Adolescent girls who had been physically abused during their lives were more exposed to sexual violence (ORaj=2.67 [1.45-4.95]).Conclusion:The family circle is a factor of exposure. It is therefore crucial to raise awareness and set up appropriate care services to limit the consequences for adolescent girls’ health.