Investigation of Gender Based Violence against Women: The Case of Ambo University Hachalu Hundesa Campus Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Gender-based violence is violence of minority groups, individuals, communities based on their gender resulted in psychological, physical and sexual injury and deprivation of their right. The study aimed to assess the Gender-based violence among undergraduate Ambo university Hachalu Campus female students. A cross-sectional and exploratory study design was conducted. A total of 93 undergraduate Ambo university Hachalu Campus female students were recruited through systematic sampling techniques. Data was collected by using self-administered questionnaires, structural interviews, and focused group discussions. Quantitative and qualitative data was analyzed using SPSS software and quantitative data was analysis by binary logistic regression and multivariate was used to identify associated factors and the strength of statistical association was measured by adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. The lifetime prevalence of GBV, sexual violence, and physical violence were found to be 63.2, 37.2, and 56.3%, respectively. The prevalence of sexual violence before and after joining the current as well as in the current academic year were 30.5, 37.2, and 22% respectively. Having regular boy-friends (AOR = 2.02; 95% CI:1.07–3.79), being sexually active (AOR = 6.10; 95% CI: 2.49–14.92), having female or male friends who drink alcohol (AOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.26–3.77), students witnessed their mothers being beaten by their partners or husband (AOR = 1.92; 95% CI:1.19–3.11) and joining public school (AOR = 1.74; 95% CI:1.11–2.76) were significantly associated with gender-based violence. The gender-based-violence was high in study area. This needs a due concern from governmental, nongovernmental and civic organizations as well as other responsible bodies to tackle factors associated with GBV in this study. Further large-scale studies incorporating male students are warranted to elucidate the factors associated with GBV in Ethiopia.