Factors associated with child sexual abuse among public secondary school students in Kinondoni municipal, Dar es salaam

Abstract

Background Child sexual abuse is a global public health concern and violates specific children’s rights. Literature reports that child sexual abuse has two forms, contact and non-contact. Evidence from research indicates that child sexual abuse is more common among school age children making this group a special focus for intervention. Data on the factors associated with child sexual abuse among school age children is limited. A better understanding of the factors is important in developing child sexual abuse education and prevention programs against the practice. Objective: To determine factors associated with child sexual abuse among public secondary school students in Kinondoni Municipal, Dar es Salaam. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study involving adolescent boys and girls from Kinondoni public secondary schools. Data was collected using anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Three hundred and sixty two study participants were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were coded, computerized and cleaned. Analysis was done using SPSS Version 21.0 software and summarized using frequency distribution and charts. Association between variables was tested using the chi-square test at 5% level of significance and 95% confidence level. Results:A total of 362 participants were recruited for study. About (47.5%) were males and (52.5%) were females. Majority of the respondents were between the age group of 16- 17 years with the mean age of 16.6 years. Less than a third (30.4%) were in their last year of secondary school (form IV), and the rest (19.3%) were in their first year (form I).Over (70.6%) of the students reported their mother attained primary school level and about a third (29.4%) reported their mother had post secondary education. More than half (54.1%) of fathers attained primary education and 45.9% had post secondary education. More than half lived with both parents (54.1%) and 19.9%, were living with single parents while the rest lived with other relatives. Half of respondents (50%) were moderately aware of different forms of child sexual abuse, while more than half (57.5%) of the study participants had experienced different forms of child sexual abuse. Common form of child sexual abuse was looking at pornography (42%) vi and home was reported to be a common venue by more than two-thirds (68.3%) of study participants. More than half of study participants (58.6%) shared rooms with siblings. Conclusion: Half of participants were moderately aware of different forms of child sexual abuse that contributes to child sexual abuse. The most common form was looking at pornography, and followed by forced penetrative sexual intercourse. The most common venue for child sexual abuse was at home, followed by in the school bus. Recommendations: There is a need to introduce school based prevention programs in schools, these education programs will aim to educate the children about different forms of child sexual abuse and provide help to the affected students by providing psychological support.The government of Tanzania through ministry of health and social welfare should prepare child sexual abuse campaigns by using media to improve awareness and reduce sexual abuse