Magnitude and associated factors of sexual violence among housemaids in Debre Birhan City Administration, North Shoa, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Sexual violence is a major public health problem that affects the health and wellbeing of millions young people widely. Housemaids are the most vulnerable group to sexual violence due to their working condition, low educational and economical level. The problem ranges from physical, mental, to sexual and reproductive health problems. However they are neglected and undermined groups with poor legal protection. Evidence shows this group of population is vulnerable to all sorts of violence while the magnitudes are barely known in the study areas. Objectives: To assess magnitude and associated factor of sexual violence among female housemaids in Debre Birhan City administration, North Shoa, Amhara, Ethiopia 2023. Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among female housemaids in Debre Birhan City from April 20 to June 10, 2023. Participants were selected using simple random sampling through computer generation technique. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and face to face interview then it was entered, coded and cleaned using EPI data version 4.6.0.2 then it was exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. First descriptive analysis was performed then binary logistic regression was done to identify associated factors for sexual violence. Crude and adjusted odd ratios with 95% confidence interval were also computed. Finally variables with P value < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Result: The magnitude of sexual violence among housemaids was 32.4 % (95% CI: 28.47-36.28). Educational status (AOR: 3.48(1.68, 7.18)), Previous residency (AOR: 2.81(1.32, 5.96)), Ever had sex (AOR: 6.52(3.72, 11.4)), discussion of sexual and reproductive issue (AOR: 2.22(1.33, 3.69)), Male member of family alcohol use (AOR: 1.95(1.13, 3.34)) and Social support (AOR: 3.93(2.05, 7.54)) were identified as statistically significant with sexual violence among housemaids at p<0.05. Conclusion: In this study sexual violence among housemaids were found to be high. History of sexual intercourse, being a rural resident, no formal education, no discussion of SRH, social support and alcohol consumption of male employers were important predictors of housemaid sexual violence. Keywords: Sexual Violence, Housemaid, Social support, Knowledge of Sexual right, sexually active, associated factors, Debre Birhan, Ethiopia