Prevalence of sexual violence and its associated factors among housemaids attending evening schools in urban settings of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia: A school based cross sectional study

Magnitude and associated factors of sexual violence among female housemaids attending night school in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia: Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study, 2022

BACKGROUND

Sexual violence is a major public health problem that affects the health and well-being of millions of young people. Housemaids are the most vulnerable group to sexual violence due to their nature of work. It leads to various physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health problems, especially in our country's context. However, they have limited information regarding the magnitude and the factors associated with sexual violence among housemaids. As a result, the purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude and risk factors for sexual violence among female housemaids attending night school in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2022.

METHOD

An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 340 housemaids attending night school in Bahir Dar city from May 15 to June 20, 2022. Participants were selected using simple random sampling through computer-generated techniques. An interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire was used. Data were entered, coded, and cleaned using EPI Data version 4.6.0.2, and exported to SPSS version 26 for further analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were done to identify factors associated with sexual violence. P-value and 95% confidence interval were used to declare the statistical association.

RESULT

The magnitude of sexual violence after being a housemaid was 30.3% with a 95% confidence interval (25.3-35.38). Ever had sex [Adjusted Odds Ratio(AOR) = 4.67; 95%; Confidence Interval(CI) (2.60, 8.39)], no discussion of sexual and reproductive issues [Adjusted Odds Ratio(AOR) = 2.32; 95%; Confidence Interval(CI) (1.29, 4.16)], poor social support [Adjusted Odds Ratio(AOR) = 2.69; 95%; Confidence Interval(CI) (1.32, 5.52)], were identified as factors associated with sexual violence among housemaids. Similarly, academic performance [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.96; 95%; Confidence Interval (CI) (0.93, 0.99)], and distance to reach school [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.04; 95%; Confidence Interval (CI) (1.19, 3.48)] were identified as factors associated with sexual violence among housemaids.

CONCLUSION

This study identified that the magnitude of sexual violence among housemaids was high. Housemaids who ever had sex, no discussion of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) with anyone, poor social support, poor academic performance, and distance to reach school were factors associated with sexual violence. Therefore, creating a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) discussion session for housemaids is important for securing their sexual rights.

Sexual assault cases managed at a referral hospital in Western Ethiopia: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Objectives:

Sexual assault is the most prevalent and hidden global problem. The condition is worse in developing countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study described the survivors’ characteristics, clinical profiles, and management of cases of sexual assault at the One-Stop Service Center for survivors of sexual assault at a referral hospital in Western Ethiopia.

Methods:

A facility-based retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess 203 cases of sexual assault managed at the One-Stop Service Center for survivors of sexual assault in Wollega University Referral Hospital from January 2019 to March 2022. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured checklist. Data were organized using Epidata version 3.1, cleaned, and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. The results were presented in tables.

Results:

Of 203 cases of alleged sexual assaults during the study period, 142 (70%) and 61 (30%) of survivors were raped and attempted rape, respectively. The age of survivors ranges from 3 to 28 years with a mean age of 15.7 ± 4.7 years. One hundred ninety-four (95.6%) were females. Seventy percent of them were students. Most of the survivors, 173 (85.2%), were assaulted by a person known to them. Only 74 (36.5%) present to the hospital within 72 h. Genital injuries were documented in 153 (75.4%). More than half, 112 (55.2%), were brought to the hospital by the police officers. In this study, 34 (16.7%) of survivors were admitted and 10 (4.9%) needed surgical procedures. Serology for syphilis, hepatitis B virus and HIV were reactive in 5 (7.1%), 1 (0.5%), and 1 (0.5%) respectively. The pregnancy test was positive in 12 (7.1%) of survivors. One (0.5%) study participant died in the intensive care unit.

Conclusion:

In this study, children and adolescents were the most vulnerable group, and survivors’ presentation to the hospital was delayed. They presented to the hospital with variable complications, including minor genital and/or extra-genital injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, fractures, and multiple organ failures leading to death. Therefore, it is recommended that all concerned stakeholders work on the prevention of sexual assault in the study area. Legal protection for these survivors and students should also be strengthened. It is also recommended to evaluate the execution of existing national and international policies and programs toward sexual assault to develop contextual policies and guidelines.

Prevalence and associated factors of sexual violence experienced by housemaids in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Housemaids often experience different types of sexual violence by different perpetrators. Sexual violence against housemaids remains usually concealed as victims cannot report such offenses. Except for fragmented studies with varying reports, there is no national prevalence studies conducted on sexual violence among housemaids in Ethiopia. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and associated factors of sexual violence amongst housemaids in Ethiopia.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, HINARI, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was conducted using relevant search terms. Data were extracted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool. The quality of all selected articles was evaluated using JBI critical appraisal checklist. Data analysis was performed using STATA Version 14 statistical software. Egger's test and funnel plot were used to evaluate publication bias. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's chi-squared test and quantified by I2 values. A random-effects model was applied during meta-analysis if heterogeneity was exhibited; otherwise, a fixed-effects model was used.

RESULTS

After reviewing 37,849 articles, 8 studies involving 3,324 housemaids were included for this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of life time sexual violence among housemaids in Ethiopia was 46.26% (95% CI: 24.69, 67.84). The pooled prevalence was 55.43% (95% CI: 26.38, 84.47) for sexual harassment, 39.03% (95% CI: 14.55, 63.52) for attempted rape, and 18.85% (95% CI: 7.51, 30.19) for rape. Sexual violence is more likely among housemaid who previously lived rural residence (AOR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.41, 3.60), drinks alcohol (AOR = 2.79 95% CI: 1.02, 4.56), and employer alcohol consumption (AOR = 6.01; 95% CI: 1.10, 32.96).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that the prevalence of sexual violence against housemaids in Ethiopia is high. Of the forms of sexual violence against housemaids, sexual harassment is high. Male employers are the vast majority of perpetrators of their housemaids. Thus, concerned stakeholders should develop and implement interventions that could empower housemaids in their struggle toward the elimination of sexual violence, create awareness for men, control and monitor the implementation of legislation and policies, and prompt punishment of the perpetrators. Systematic review and meta-analysis registration PROSPERO CRD42021160511.