Abstract:
Background: Sexual violence of street children is a global social problem. Like many under
developed nation, challenges facing the Ethiopian children make their live under difficult
circumstances and are exposed to various forms of abuse and exploitation
Objectives: The objectives of this study are to assess the magnitude of sexual violence
(rape), to determine the prevalence of STI, and factors associated with sexual violence.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional design with complementary focus group discussion was conducted
to study sexual violence among street adolescents in Adama town.
Results: A Total of 422 street adolescents of boys and girls participated in qualitative study,
and there were also 4 focus group discussions containing 2 groups from boys and the other 2
groups from girls. There were 8 participants in each group. The quantitative study reveled, that
the prevalence of rape among adolescents of street children in the last 3 months recall period was
65 ( 15.4%), attempted rape 30.8% and Sexually transmitted infections 23.9%. On qualitative
study (FGD) results showed that both boys and girls are at high risk of rape , attempted rape, and
consequences of sexual violence. Among the study subjects rape was significantly associated
with age group 15-19 (OR =17.85, 95% CI: 5.50, 584.5), Sex, females (OR=80.2, 95% CI: 11.0-
584.5). Substance abuse was reported as one of the major problems among street adolescents. On
this study chate consumption is very high 318 (75.5%), followed by alcohol 211 (50.1%), and
chewing chate and alcohol were significantly associated with rape,. Chate (OR=5.69, 95% CI
2.02-16.09), Alcohol, (OR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.41-4.39).
Conclusion and recommendation
In conclusion adolescents street children (boys and girls) are at high risk of sexual violence
(rape) and its consequences therefore it is recommended to find means of providing night shelter.
All responsible citizens should report cases of child sexual violence (rape) to legal bodies.
Awareness creation and education of problems of sexual violence on street children. Finally
further study on the problems of street adolescents especially on sexual abuse is recommended.
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