| dc.description.abstract | Violent practices against women are commonplace, widespread and deeply entrenched in many cultures worldwide, as research on sexual violence, which is serious public health problem, is continuously being conducted all around the world (Youri P, 1994; Wood K et aI., 1998; Obunge O.K. et aI., 2001). In Kenya, sexual violence remains highly prevalent and continues to escalate, thereby contributing to hindrance in the achievement of national goals as well as the Millenium Development goals. Most studies on gender based violence usually develop interest in only one form of sexual violence: sexual assault. Moreover, factors associated with sexual violence among adolescents and youth have not been systematically explored by previous research in Kenya.
The purpose of this study is to determine factors associated with sexual violence among females aged 14 - 24 years reporting at KNH, with all forms of sexual violence being addressed, in order to understand the dimensions and the complexity of this public health problem. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in order to determine factors that influence sexual violence among females aged 14 _ 24 years. The study consecutively recruited 295 eligible participants who presented for health care services at KNH during the study period and who consented to participate in the study. They included both outpatients and in-patients. Of the eligible respondents, 285 (96.6%) consented to participate in the study.
Two pre-tested questionnaires were used to collect the relevant data. Four research assistants were recruited to assist with data collection and they received some training on interviewing techniques prior to data collection. Analysis of quantitative data was perf{)JlIJed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (presently, PASW) programme. Univariate analysis was performed in order to obtain descriptive statistics. Thus, proportions, means and standard deviations were determined during the analysis.
The results are presented in form of tables and diagrams. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were also performed in order to examine associations between the independent variables and the occurrence of sexual violence among eligible female adolescents and youth. The chi-square test, student t-test (for comparing means) and logistic regression analysis were performed. The level of significance used was 5%. The researcher analyzed qualitative data manually in relation to study objectives and the results are presented in form of narratives. The variables measured included the following: socio-demographic characteristics, family settings, high-risk social behaviors and cultural factors. Of these, marital status, early sexual initiation and forced early marriage were found to be significantly associated with sexual violence prior to controlling for confounding factors while only marital status was found to be significantly associated with sexual violence after controlling for confounding factors.
This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study conducted among female adolescents and youth at KNH (Nairobi, KENYA), which revealed that the prevalence of sexual violence among females aged 14 - 24 years is alarmingly high -overall (72.6%)- considering all forms of sexual violence, as well as various categories of variables. In actual fact, all the sociodemographic categories of respondents were found to be affected by the problem whereas neither family settings, nor high risk social behaviors significantly influence the high prevalence of sexual violence among the study population.
Regarding cultural factors, forced marriage was the only variable that was found to predispose to sexual violence. Therefore, the findings of this research, like others, show that sexual violence is a universally prevalent problem. Although the reduction of sexual violence remains a big challenge, mostly due to the stigma associated with it, this serious public health problem can be better understood and controlled through the development and the implementation of preventive strategies at the social, policy and political levels. | en_US |
