PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AMONG FEMALE WOLKITE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, INSTITUTIONAL BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY DESIGN, GURAGE ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Background:- Gender based violence is a serious public health and human rights problem with both short-and long-term consequence on women’s physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health. Gender based violence are series problems that transcend racial, economical, social and regional lines and are frequently towards female students who lack the economic and social status to resist or avoid it. So knowledge of the prevalence and factors associated with gender based violence at higher institution is very important in proposing prevent measures. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with gender based violence among female students of Wolkite University, southern, Ethiopia, 2020. Methods:-Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 3146 female Wolkite University (WKU) students on december10/2020. Participants were selected by systematic sampling and first participant was chosen by simple random sampling. Data was collected by self-administered questionnaire. Data was done compiled, processed and analyzed by using SPSS, and tables were used to summarize and present major findings. Descriptive statistics was done Result: A total of 353 female students were involved in the study. The prevalence of gender based violence (physical or/and sexual) was found in the current year, since enrolling university and in life time12.5%, 20.5%, 35.1% respectively. The prevalence of physical violence among the study participants was reported by 134 (40.1%), 76 (28.7%) and 55 (15.5%) of the respondents in before joining university, since joining university and in the current academic year respectively.The prevalence of any form of sexual violence in the current academic year, since joining university and before joining university was reported by 33 (9.3%), 44 (12.3%), and 110 (30.1%) of the respondents respectively. Among 127(36%) of females who had complete rape 84(23.5%) had vaginal discharge (STD), pregnancy 53(15%) and Abortion 33 (9.9%).The prevalence of gender based violence among female students in university is a serious problem and concern Conclusion: - The study showed that prevalence of sexual violence among high school female students is a series problem and concern and it was shown to contribute for health problem including unwanted pregnancy, STD, Abortion and physical and psychological harm which finally affect the future life of female students. Recommendation: - Awareness creation to adolescent need to be introduced and school should also give appropriate education-regarding damaging effect of rape and its consequence