Prevalence and determinants of sexual abuse among adolescent girls during the COVID-19 lockdown and school closures in Ghana: A mixed method study

Abstract

BackgroundIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns have been raised that the pandemic may derail global efforts against child sexual abuse (CSA). ObjectivesThis study examines the prevalence and associated factors of sexual abuse among adolescent girls in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Participants and settingThe sample comprised 853 adolescent girls aged 13–19 (16.03 ± 2.04 years) in Ghana. MethodsThe study employed a concurrent mixed-method design. ResultsOverall, the prevalence of CSA during the COVID-19 lockdown and school closures was 32.5 %. Protective factors for CSA were feeling safe in neighbourhood (AOR = 0.526, 95 % CI = [0.325, 0.850]) and parents often listen to opinions (AOR = 0.446, 95 % CI = [0.241, 0.826]). Risk factors for CSA were physical activity (AOR = 1.649, OR = 1.783, 95 % CIAOR = [1.093, 2.487, 95 % CIOR = [1.241, 2.561]), parents sometimes listen to opinions (AOR = 1.199, OR = 1.924, 95 % CIAOR = [0.504, 2.853], 95 % CIOR = [1.034, 3.582]), living with another relative (AOR = 2.352, OR = 2.484, 95 % CIAOR = [0.270, 20.523], 95 % CIOR = [0.317, 19.475]), Akan ethnicity (AOR = 1.576, OR = 1.437, 95 % CIAOR = [0.307, 8.091], 95 % CIOR = [0.316, 6.534]), having no disability (AOR = 1.099, OR = 1.138, 95 % CIAOR = [0.679, 1.581], 95 % CIOR = [0.786, 1.649]) and having a close relationship with parents (AOR = 1.334, OR = 1.752, 95 % CIAOR = [0.746, 2.385], 95 % CIOR = [1.096, 2.802]). ConclusionKnowledge of the risk and protective factors identified in this study can guide and inform the development of CSA prevention programmes during disruptive occurrences like school closures and lockdown.