Abstract Background: Female genital mutilation could be a global public unhealthiness, and it's practiced by many communities in Africa, special Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, the factors related to FGM practices are poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of female genital mutilation and its associated factors with FGM among reproductive age women within the country. Method: A secondary data analysis was disbursed supported the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Bayesian binary Logistic Regression GLMM, which allows taking into consideration both individual and population variability in model parameter estimate was employed.Results: The general prevalence of female genital mutilation among participants (15-49 years old) in Ethiopia was found to be 69.6%. From Bayesian random intercept binary logistic analysis it had been found that rural, Muslim, middle Wealth index, rich Wealth index people, Secondary and above were statistically significant with Female genital mutilation. Conclusion: Rural residence, Muslim religion, middle wealth index , rich wealth index, people 25-34 years old, the people 35-49 years old, ever heard of female genital mutilation, occupation of girls were positively related to female genital mutilation practice. On the opposite hand, husband/partner's primary education level, husband/partner's secondary and above educational level, husband/partner occupation (merchant and others) were negatively related to female genital mutilation. Despite the presence of various interventions, the prevalence of female genital mutilation continues to be very high within the country.
This study assessed both demographic and Social Ecological Model (SEM) variables associated with supporting the abandonment of female genital mutilation (FGM) in three regions of Ethiopia. Data were collected through structured quantitative questionnaires with study participants (n=1146), including adolescent girls, caregivers, social network contacts, and community influentials. Data were analyzed using the statistical software STATA/SE. Chi-square, binary logistic regression, and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results found the one significant association between support for FGM abandonment and demographic variables was having an education above secondary level (AOR=0.11, CI=0.01-0.92). For SEM variables, attitudes regarding identity (AOR=5.74, CI=1.42-23.11), expectation to abandon (AOR=56.88, CI=14.99-215.90), sanctions (AOR=23.00, CI=4.77-110.95), and social networks (AOR=4.61, CI=1.21-17.51) were found to be significant factors in supporting FGM abandonment. Programs should intervene on multiple levels of the SEM and focus on social norms to empower and mobilize communities toward the elimination of FGM.
Farren Rodrigues, Sarah C. W. Stevens, Fikerselam Getinet et al.
The rising cases of violence against children (VAC) have prompted strategies, laws, and policies to protect Ugandan children at the grassroots, subnational, and national levels. Despite the emergence of various strategies by different VAC actors who network formally and informally to address VAC, the functionality of their networks has not received adequate attention in previous research. We conducted a qualitative study to examine the dynamics of networking for VAC in Uganda. We collected data using interviews with network funders and leads at the national and subnational levels and focus group discussions with grassroots and community members. Our findings reveal that VAC networks belong to two broad categories: formal and informal. These exist side by side, usually operating in parallel, but sometimes with crisscrossing and overlapping activities. While the work of formal network actors is better resourced and recognized, and more visible, informal network actors are invisibilized in government plans, philanthropic efforts, and scholarly research. A more collaborative and inclusive VAC networking system would be instrumental in enhancing VAC prevention and response.
Doris Muhwezi Kakuru, Annah Kamusiime, Martha Kibukamusoke et al.
Violence against children remains a major global public health and human rights concern, with over one billion children experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual violence annually. In sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, cases of child violence have heightened despite the existence of legal and institutional frameworks aimed at protecting children. Nairobi City County has reported a growing prevalence of home-based violence against children, necessitating a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to this problem. This study examined the determinants of home-based violence against children in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study was guided by Frustration–Aggression Theory and Social Learning Theory. The study employed descriptive design. The target population comprised of 384 household heads, 2 deputy county commissioners, 17 chiefs, 34 assistant chiefs, 6 officers, 20 officials from the Children’s Welfare Department, 200 social workers, 200 head teachers, 30 psychologists/counselors, and 30 representatives of non-state actors, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and faith-based organizations (FBOs). Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 451respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented narratively, while quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 and presented through tables, graphs and pie charts. The findings revealed that home-based violence against children in Nairobi City County commonly manifested through verbal altercations (44.2%), constant rebuke (41.6%), and denial of basic needs (40.9%), isolation (40.4%), punching (40.2%), and kicking (34.9%). The study further established that the major determinants of home-based violence against children were economic strain (25.2%), drug and substance abuse (19.7%), cultural practices and norms (10.0%), power and control dynamics (9.4%), marital conflicts (9.1%), and parenting-related challenges (5.9%).The study concludes that home-based violence against children in Nairobi City County is largely driven by socioeconomic, behavioral, cultural, and family-related factors. Addressing these underlying determinants is critical to reducing child victimization within households. The study recommends the implementation of comprehensive family assessment and support programs by government agencies and social service organizations to address economic hardship, substance abuse, family conflict, and intergenerational patterns of violence, thereby strengthening child protection and family well-being.
Abstract Experiencing violence in childhood impacts lifelong health and well-being. Yet being subject to violence at a young age causes enduring psychological, social and neurological vandalism which stops people reaching their full potential in life. Violence against children includes all forms of violence against people under 18 years old ; therefore the purpose of this study is to determine the magnitude of violence against children and associated factors among sampled high school students in Jimma town. Method: Institution based crossectional study was employed among sampled 423 private and public high school students of Jimma town from february15-30, 2018. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. A multi stage with proportional to sample size was employed. Result: A total of 419 respondents participated in the study, making the response rate 99%. A large proportion of the study subjects, 57.5 %, were females, and 56.3% were Oromo’s. The study indicates that the prevalence of violence among high school children’s’ in Jimma town is 62.5%. Children who had faced severe physical violence accounted for 14.1%. Pertaining to parental relationships and interactions, the majority of the school children (66.3%) did not have free discussion on reproductive health issues with their parents or guardians. Conclusion: The prevalence of any form of violence in life time (Physical, sexual and psychological) found to be high. Of all children who experienced violence near to half of them encountered mild physical violence. Less number of school children had experience of Kchat chewing and/or alcohol use.
Fanta Asefa Disasa, Yibeltal Siraneh, Yesuf Ahmed et al.
BACKGROUND: The association between witnessing intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) and experiencing violence against children (VAC) has received limited attention in humanitarian settings. We examined the prevalence of witnessing IPVAW in childhood and its association with experiencing caregiver-perpetrated physical and emotional VAC and sexual VAC by any perpetrator in Uganda refugee settlements. METHODS: Data were from the first-ever Ugandan Humanitarian Violence against Children and Youth Survey (HVACS), conducted from March to April 2022, involving 1,338 females and 927 males aged 13-24 years. Indicators of VAC included ever experiencing sexual (by any perpetrator), physical, or emotional (by a caregiver) violence among 13-17-year-olds and experiencing such violence prior to age 18 among 18-24-year-olds. The analysis entailed cross-tabulation with a chi-square (χ²) test and a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: The prevalence of witnessing IPVAW in childhood was significantly higher among males (31.2%) compared to females (16.5%). Witnessing IPVAW in childhood was associated with increased odds of experiencing physical VAC by a caregiver for both females (AOR = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.41-4.52) and males (AOR = 3.37; 95% CI = 1.72-6.59). It also significantly increased the odds of experiencing sexual VAC for females (AOR = 3.62; 95% CI = 1.65-7.92) and males (AOR = 5.52; 95% CI = 3.42-8.91). Additionally, witnessing IPVAW increased the odds of experiencing emotional VAC by a caregiver for both females (AOR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.36-5.03) and males (AOR = 2.78; 95% CI = 1.53-5.07), compared to their peers who did not witness IPVAW. CONCLUSION: Witnessing IPVAW in childhood is common in refugee settlements in Uganda and is strongly associated with experiencing VAC perpetrated by a caregiver. Violence prevention and response programs should pay attention to IPVAW as a risk factor for VAC, emphasizing integrated approaches that target both forms of violence within households.
George Odwe, Francis Obare, Stella Kagwiria Muthuri et al.
There are over two million displaced children worldwide living in established refugee camps. Many of these children have escaped violent conflict in their country, but still are victims of violence in camps. Yet, little is known about this violence and how camp residents subsequently react to it. We examine the issue of reporting violence using a sample of over 300 child-parent pairs of Burundian and Congolese refugees residing in Nyarugusu camp in Tanzania. To elicit social norms around reporting violence against children we use fictional vignettes of violent situations with randomized characteristics against a hypothetical child to measure parents’ and children’s perceptions of when children will report violence. Parents and children have similar beliefs that the vignette victims are more likely to report violence in school than in other locations. One contrast is that parents believe victims are more likely to report sexual violence than other types of violence while children do not. Additionally, we find a strong relationship between a parent and their child’s beliefs of when the hypothetical victim would report violence.
Erin K. Fletcher, Seth Richard Gitter, Savannah Wilhelm
Background: Violence and public health have always been viewed as distinct, non-overlapping social issues. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that violence is contagious, has incubation periods, is predictable, and is preventable. For example, in Ethiopia, racist ideas are instilled in formal and informal schools. Those ideas resulted in consecutive collective violence that ravaged Oromia-Ethiopia. Therefore, societies must think and act “upstream” to prevent violence. Objectives: This study aims to collect and evaluate the causes of violence against children and their relationship to public health to give theoretical and practical justifications and methods for “Upstream” solutions. Methodology: Using a systemic thinking framework, captured the underlying causes of violence against children and its public health repercussions. Findings: Violence in general and violence against children is an enduring problem. Racist theories taught in schools inform the Ethiopian government to covertly and overtly promote collective violence. The Ethiopian government collectively attacked the Oromo people, their institutions, and their leadership and legalized structural inequalities. Collective violence has eroded social protective factors, increased risks, and widened violence against children. Violence against children is a multiplier of social problems. Unless we apply public health strategies, slash the risks, and foster the development of protective social conditions, the problem will aggravate. Conclusions: The significant causes of violence against children are racist theories, collective violence, climate change, and poverty. Understanding the causes of violence through public health lenses offers theoretical and practical tools to foster peace. If Oromos can freely determine their affairs, they will better identify their problems and solutions. The Oromo people's efforts to self-determine their affairs are part and parcel of strategies to widen their choices, tackle structural violence, and progressively create healthy social conditions where children's growth and development can flourish.
Violence Against Children (VAC) refers to all forms of abuse or maltreatment of people under the age of 18 years. The Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS), led by national governments with technical assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of the Together for Girls partnership, have documented the magnitude and prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against children in more than 20 low- and middle-income countries, with a view to informing national prevention and response programs. Despite the precedent for understanding the extent of VAC from the perspectives of adolescents and pre-adolescent children, interest in systematic documentation of similar experiences of children in humanitarian settings is just emerging, following the development of guidance for the implementation of VACS in such contexts. This report presents key findings from the first VACS conducted exclusively in a humanitarian context—specifically, in refugee settings in Uganda. The survey is referred to as the Uganda Humanitarian VAC Survey (HVACS).
Francis Obare Onyango, George Odwe, Peter Kisaakye et al.
Background: Information and data on the burden and factors associated with violence against children are critical in designing and implementing preventive strategies and interventions. This study aimed to examine patterns of the prevalence of sexual violence (SV) against children in Rwanda and investigate associated factors to contribute to the knowledge about violence against children in Rwanda. Methods: A sample of 1,110 children aged 13-17 years from a cross-sectional national survey done in Rwanda in 2015 was analysed. Weighted descriptive statistics were applied to describe the prevalence of SV against children, and weighted logistic regression allowed us to investigate factors associated with it. Results: Over eight percent (8.4%) of all children, including about three percent (2.8%) of male children and around five percent (5.6%) of female children, reported having experienced SV within the last twelve months. Being a female child, having a romantic partner, and not attending school were some factors associated with SV against children in Rwanda. Conclusion: Female children reported more SV than male children. Factors associated with sexual violence pertained to the child's characteristics, family or household background characteristics, and community relations. The study findings call for an urgent need to prevent SV against children through awareness raising about it amongst children and the general public.
Alypio Nyandwi, Fredinah Namatovu, Vincent Rusanganwa et al.
