Gender Based Violence and Adverse Reproductive Health Outcomes among Women with Disabilities in Selected Associations of People with Disabilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2011-05
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: Gender based violence targeting women hinder women’s physical,
psychological and social well-being. Despite the fact that, gender based violence has
been given a great recognition at present time, studies that indicate its magnitude and
impacts among disabled women remain scarce.
Objectives: The study was conducted in order to measure the magnitude of gender
based violence and its association with adverse reproductive health outcomes among
women with disabilities in Addis Ababa.
Method: A cross- sectional survey using an anonymous questionnaire supplemented by
focus group discussion was conducted among women with disabilities in selected
association of people with disabilities in Addis Ababa. A total of 528 women with
selected disabilities were included in the study using Convenience sampling. Two focus
group discussions were used for the deaf and physically impaired women in order to
assess their belief and attitude towards the issue. The study also assessed experiences
of physical and sexual violence using standard WHO Multi-country study questionnaire
and its association with adverse reproductive health outcomes.
Result: Among the respondents, the prevalence of physical violence was 40.5% and
30.8% in life time and in the past 12 month respectively. Whereas the prevalence of
sexual violence in this order being 42.1% in life time and 57.7% in the past 12 month.
Both Physical violence (OR (Adj) =2.00 (95%CI: 1.21, 3.31) and sexual violence with
OR (Adj) = 4.21 (95% CI: 2.44, 7.25) was associated with Adverse reproductive health
outcomes (unwanted pregnancy, still birth and abortion).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of the survey, it can be suggested that gender
based violence is a common and serious problem and highly associated with adverse
reproductive health outcomes among women with disabilities. Therefore, it is
recommended that GBV needs due attention and remedial actions and Programs aimed
at preventing gender-based violence must address these identified factors or correlates
of violence against women with disabilities.
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Keywords
Gender Based Violence and Adverse Reproductive