TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence of gender-based violence and factors associated with help-seeking among university students in sub-Saharan Africa
AU - Owusu-Antwi, Ruth
AU - Fedina, Lisa
AU - Robba, Maria Jose Baeza
AU - Khatibi, Kristie
AU - Bosomtwe, Dennis
AU - Nsereko, Etienne
AU - Shadare, Oluwatobiloba
AU - Compton, Sarah
AU - Akinyemi, Akanni
AU - Randa, Moreoagae Bertha
AU - Afolabi, Abiola A.
AU - Munro-Kramer, Michelle L.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/1/1
Y1 - 2024/1/1
N2 - Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global public health problem. While research exists on GBV and associated help-seeking behaviors among university students, few studies have assessed the prevalence of GBV, including experiences and barriers to help-seeking, within sub-Saharan African university settings. Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of GBV victimization among university students in six sub-Saharan African countries and describe experiences of formal and informal help-seeking among students who self-identified as victims of GBV since attending university. Design: An online, cross-sectional survey study was administered to university students from July to October 2023 at nine participating universities in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: Descriptive statistics were used to describe types of violence experienced among students (N = 2249). Bivariate analyses (t-tests, chi-square) and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine demographic factors associated with formal and informal help-seeking behavior among a sub-sample of GBV victims (n = 298). Results: Among the 2249 sample of students, the prevalence of physical violence was 30.9%, 18.7% for sexual violence, 64.9% for psychological violence, and 63.7% for stalking. Among a sub-sample of GBV victims (n = 298), most (78.2%) sought informal help from friends, partners, or family members and less than one-third (29.5%) sought help from formal sources (e.g., university administrators, police). Logistic regression results indicated that university country was associated with formal help-seeking; that is, students in Ghana and Rwanda were over twice as likely to seek formal help than students in Nigeria (odds ratio (OR) = 2.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38–4.85, p < 0.01; OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.20–5.71, p < 0.05, respectively). While differences by gender were noted in formal help-seeking behavior at the bivariate level, gender was not associated with formal help-seeking after adjusting for GBV training and other demographics. Conclusion: GBV is a significant public health issue among university students in sub-Saharan Africa. University policies and prevention programs are needed to reduce GBV and increase the capacity of formal sources to effectively respond to GBV.
AB - Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global public health problem. While research exists on GBV and associated help-seeking behaviors among university students, few studies have assessed the prevalence of GBV, including experiences and barriers to help-seeking, within sub-Saharan African university settings. Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of GBV victimization among university students in six sub-Saharan African countries and describe experiences of formal and informal help-seeking among students who self-identified as victims of GBV since attending university. Design: An online, cross-sectional survey study was administered to university students from July to October 2023 at nine participating universities in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: Descriptive statistics were used to describe types of violence experienced among students (N = 2249). Bivariate analyses (t-tests, chi-square) and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine demographic factors associated with formal and informal help-seeking behavior among a sub-sample of GBV victims (n = 298). Results: Among the 2249 sample of students, the prevalence of physical violence was 30.9%, 18.7% for sexual violence, 64.9% for psychological violence, and 63.7% for stalking. Among a sub-sample of GBV victims (n = 298), most (78.2%) sought informal help from friends, partners, or family members and less than one-third (29.5%) sought help from formal sources (e.g., university administrators, police). Logistic regression results indicated that university country was associated with formal help-seeking; that is, students in Ghana and Rwanda were over twice as likely to seek formal help than students in Nigeria (odds ratio (OR) = 2.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38–4.85, p < 0.01; OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.20–5.71, p < 0.05, respectively). While differences by gender were noted in formal help-seeking behavior at the bivariate level, gender was not associated with formal help-seeking after adjusting for GBV training and other demographics. Conclusion: GBV is a significant public health issue among university students in sub-Saharan Africa. University policies and prevention programs are needed to reduce GBV and increase the capacity of formal sources to effectively respond to GBV.
KW - gender-based violence
KW - help-seeking
KW - interpersonal violence
KW - intimate partner violence
KW - sub-Saharan Africa
KW - university students
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85212677993&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/17455057241307519
DO - 10.1177/17455057241307519
M3 - Article
C2 - 39707885
AN - SCOPUS:85212677993
SN - 1745-5057
VL - 20
JO - Women's Health
JF - Women's Health
ER -