Assessment of violence against children

Abstract

Background: Violence against children is a public health, human rights, and social problem, with potentially devastating and costly consequences. The prevalence of violence against children (VAC) varies among studies and studies identify different risk factors for child violence. However, there are very few studies on violence against children and factors associated with violence in Ethiopia. Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence of violence against children (physical, emotional and sexual violence) and to identify factors associated with violence against children in Addis Ababa, Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and SNNPR. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional internal comparative design and used baseline survey data collected by FHI360 in 2019 for program interventions. A stratified simple random sampling technique was used to select 1,847 vulnerable children (0-17 years) living in conventional households, children living and working in street (CLWS), and children of female sex workers (CFSWs). The prevalence rate of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against children were determined for each forms of violence. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with violence. Results: In total 14.0% (95% CI; 11.88-16.39) of children reported at least one type of violence in the past six months. The prevalence of physical, emotional and sexual violence for the children under the current study was 14.5 % (95% CI; 12.97-1618), 8.2% (95% CI; 7.044-9.555) and 0.9% (95% CI; 0.4077-1.657) respectively. Older age group, sex(male), disability status, place of residence, CLWS population group, living arrangement, neglect and hunger were all associated with and are factors associated with physical and emotional violence. Conclusion and Recommendations: According to this study; children experience violence (physical, emotional, and sexual) and the violence is associated with child age, sex, population group (children in conventional HH, CFSW & CLWS), place of residence, living arrangement, neglect. However, the prevalence for the current study is low when compared with prevalence rates in sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, holistic and multi-sectoral interventions to prevent violence are needed and future research comparing with a wider range of children is recommended. ......................................... Thesis available at ACIPH Library