High rates of sexual violence by both intimate and non-intimate partners experienced by adolescent girls and young women in Kenya and Zambia: Findings around violence and other negative health outcomes.

Sanyukta Mathur,Julie Pulerwitz,Jerry Okal,Maurice Musheke,James Matheka,Nanlesta Pilgrim,Ruchira Bhattacharya,Lunda Banda,Nrupa Jani,Sangram Kishor Patel,Drosin Mulenga,Michel Carael

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0203929

Abstract

BackgroundWhile links between intimate-partner violence (IPV) and HIV risk have been established, less is known about violence perpetrated by people other than intimate partners. In addition, much of the research on IPV has been conducted with adults, while relatively little is known about violence experienced by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). We examined experiences of sexual violence and associated sexual and mental health among AGYW in Kenya and Zambia.MethodsUsing cross-sectional surveys with women aged 15–24 years, we assessed experience of partner sexual violence among respondents who reported a boyfriend/husband in the last 12 months (Kenya N = 597; Zambia N = 426) and non-partner sexual violence among all respondents (Kenya N = 1778; Zambia N = 1915). We conducted logistic regression analyses to examine experiences of sexual violence and health outcomes.ResultsSexual violence from intimate partners over the last year was reported by 19.1 percent of AGYW respondents in Kenya and 22.2 percent in Zambia; sexual violence from non-partners was reported by 21.4 percent in Kenya and 16.9 percent in Zambia. Experience of sexual violence was associated with negative health outcomes. Violence from non-partners was associated with increased odds of STI symptoms and increased levels of anxiety and depression. Results were similar for violence from partners, although only significant in Kenya. While sexual violence from a non-partner was associated with increased HIV risk perception, it was not associated when the violence was experienced from an intimate partner.ConclusionsAGYW reported high levels of sexual violence from both intimate partners and non-partners. These experiences were associated with negative health outcomes, though there were some differences by country context. Strengthening sexual violence prevention programs, increasing sexual violence screening, and expanding the provision of post-violence care are needed to reduce intimate and non-partner violence and the effects of violence on AGYW.

Highlights

Violence against women is a global epidemic with implications for women’s health and development outcomes
Sexual violence from intimate partners over the last year was reported by 19.1 percent of AGYW respondents in Kenya and 22.2 percent in Zambia; sexual violence from non-partners was reported by 21.4 percent in Kenya and 16.9 percent in Zambia
While sexual violence from a non-partner was associated with increased HIV risk perception, it was not associated when the violence was experienced from an intimate partner

Summary

Introduction

Violence against women is a global epidemic with implications for women’s health and development outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately one third of women globally have experienced some kind of violence (physical and/or sexual) from a partner or non-partner in their lifetime [1]. While the available data show that 7.2 percent of women aged 15 years or older experience non-partner sexual violence globally [1], limited age-specific data means that adolescent girls and young women’s (AGYW’s) experiences of non-partner sexual violence remain largely undocumented [1,2]. We examine experiences of sexual violence from intimate partners (IP) and non-partners among AGYW in two country contexts in sub-Saharan Africa. Much of the research on IPV has been conducted with adults, while relatively little is known about violence experienced by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

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Results

Conclusion