Magnetide and Associated Factors of Gender Based Violence Among Female Students of High School and Preparatory in Mikewa Town, Oromia, Ethiopia in 2019

Abstract

Background: Gender Based Violence refers to acts of sexual or physical violence inflicted on children in and around schools because of their sex or gendere identity. It results in fatal and non-fatal injuries, unintended pregnancies, induced abortions, STIs and mental health problems. Schools are not isolated from traditions, culture, norms, customary laws and governmental policies that exist in the country and the community, nor from individual experiences of students and staff both outside and inside schools and educational institutions. If not addressed properly, schools can normalize a violent environment both in the classroom and outside it. Objective: To assess magnetude and factors related to Gender Based Violence among female students of high school and preparatory students in Mikewa town, Oromia, Ethiopia in 2019. Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted on female students of mikewa high school and preparatory. Cluster sampling was used and Data was collected using structured self administered questionnaire and entered into Epi info version 7 and SPSS version 16 for was used for data analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics was used to present data. Biviriate and multivariate logistic regression was computed to assess statistical association between the outcome variable and independent variable. The result was then displayed by using text, graphs and tables. Content analysis was implemented manually for the qualitative part. Result: The magnetude of GBV among study participants was 187 (46.6%). Students who are from extended family OR=0.42; (95%CI: 0.27, 0.66), students having drunken friend OR=2.44; (95%CI: 1.47, 4.04), having history of sexual intercourse OR=0.16 (95%CI: 0.03, 0.95), place near school where girls fear to go alone OR=2.09; (95%CI: 1.29, 3.41) history of discrimination or marginalization OR=0.29; (95%CI: 0.14-0.62) were the identified associated factor with GBV. Conclusion: The current study showed the magnitude of GBV is unacceptable. Variables like being being female students from extended family, having drunken female friend or boy friend, having history of sexual intercourse, place near school where girls fear togo alone, history of discrimination or marginalization were the identified associated factors. Recommendation: Identified factors associated with GBV of this study finding needs attention and corrective action from policy makers, school officials, community, parents, students, and other concerned bodies including programs aimed at preventing GBV.