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Sexual and physical violence victimization among senior high school students in Ghana: Risk and protective factors

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  • Ohene, Sally-Ann
  • Johnson, Kiana
  • Atunah-Jay, Sarah
  • Owusu, Andrew
  • Borowsky, Iris Wagman

Abstract

Violence in all forms poses a concern because of associations with multiple adverse effects including injuries and mental health problems. There is however limited data on violence in general and youth violence in particular in Ghana. To explore the nature and scope of youth violence in Ghana, we used the nationwide Global School-based Health Survey, conducted among senior high school students in Ghana, to explore risk and protective factors at the individual, family, and environmental levels associated with sexual and physical violence victimization. A fifth of these students reported being forced to have sex in their lifetime while two out of five had been a victim of a physical attack in the year preceding the survey. In final multivariate analysis, for sexual violence victimization, history of sexual activity with or without condom use at last sex, feeling sad or hopeless, and being a victim of bullying and electronic bullying were identified as risk factors, while having friends who were not sexually active was protective. Independent risk factors for physical violence victimization were attempting suicide in the last year, alcohol use in the past month, and bullying other students in the past month. Parent respect for privacy just reached significance as a protective factor for physical violence victimization in the final model. Recognition of the magnitude of violence victimization among Ghanaian students and associated factors must be used to guide development and implementation of appropriate concrete measures to prevent and address the problem.

Suggested Citation

  • Ohene, Sally-Ann & Johnson, Kiana & Atunah-Jay, Sarah & Owusu, Andrew & Borowsky, Iris Wagman, 2015. "Sexual and physical violence victimization among senior high school students in Ghana: Risk and protective factors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 266-275.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:146:y:2015:i:c:p:266-275
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.10.019
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Blum, R.W. & Halcón, L. & Beuhring, T. & Pate, E. & Campell-Forrester, S. & Venema, A., 2003. "Adolescent health in the Caribbean: Risk and protective factors," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(3), pages 456-460.
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    Cited by:

    1. Achyut Raj Pandey & Tamanna Neupane & Binaya Chalise & Niraj Shrestha & Sabina Chaudhary & Raja Ram Dhungana & Bihungum Bista, 2021. "Factors associated with physical and sexual violence among school-going adolescents in Nepal: Findings from Global School-based Student Health Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Markwei, Ummu & Tetteh, Peace Mamle, 2021. "‘To speak or not to speak’: Exploring the reasons and channels of (non)disclosure of child sexual abuse in the Ga community in Ghana," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).

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