Childhood sexual abuse experiences and its associated factors among female high school adolescents in Arbaminch town, Gammo Goffa zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background-Child sexual abuse is a major concern of society because the physical and mental harm endured by children is extremely destructive. Besides the limited number of studies undertaken in Ethiopia with regard to childhood sexual abuse so far, little is known about child sexual abuse within our study area of interest. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse experiences and its associated factors among female high school students in Arba minch town, Gammo Goffa zone. Methods and materials: For the quantitative part, school based cross sectional study was conducted from March 03 to 08 2014 among 362 grade ten female high school students in Arbaminch town. A pretested, structured self-administered questionnaire and in-depth interview guide were used. The presence of association was assessed using bivariate test. Multi-variable logistic regression was used to control confounding effects and the strength of association was expressed in odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval. For the qualitative approach 14 key informant in-depth interviews were selected purposively and data was analysed based on the thematic areas. Result: The prevalence of life time rape among school adolescents in Arbaminch town was found to be 11%. The odds of experiencing life time rape was higher among students who lived alone (AOR=4.30; 95%CI: 1.81, 10.24) and among students who live with their friends (AOR= 3.31; 95%CI: 1.23, 8.89) than those living with their parents. The chance of experiencing rape among students who had no open discussion with their parents about sexuality and reproductive health matters was higher (AOR=2.93; 95%CI: 1.33, 6.45) than those who had discussion. Conclusion and recommendations: This study revealed high level of rape among Arbaminch town high school female students. Ever had discussion, living arrangement of the student, and monthly income had statistically significant association with childhood sexual abuse. Unwanted pregnancy and abortion were the most common outcomes of rape. Comprehensive school based reproductive health education, community based awareness creation, open discussion about sexuality and reproductive health matters with students at family level are recommended.