Gender-Based Violence and its Association with Mental Health among Women with and Without Disability in Addis Ababa
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Date
2019-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Gender based violence (GBV) is a devastating problem for women in general, but it is more dreadful
among women with disabilities (WWD). The extent of GBV and its association with mental health
among WWDs and women without disabilities (WWODs) are almost unexplored issues even at global
level. Thus, the current study explored the extent of GBV and its association with mental health
among WWOD and WWD in Addis Ababa. For this purposes, 303 WWDs and 170 WWODs were selected
by using simple random sampling technique. WHO GBV assessment instrument, PHQ-9, PTSD
Checklist-Civilian version, STAI and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were the instruments used. Data
were analyzed using descriptive statistics and MANOVA followed by univarate ANOVA post-hoc
comparison followed by independent samples t-test. The aggregate result of GBV revealed that,
84.1% of WWDs and 76.48% of WWODs experienced at least one element of GBV during their life
time. Similarly, 76.56% of WWDs and 60% of WWODs experienced GBV during the last twelve
months. In addition, 79.2%, 72.6% and 63.7% of WWDs experienced psychological, sexual and physical
violence respectively during their life time. For WWODs, 65.9%, 51%, and 50% experienced
psychological, physical and sexual violence respectively during their life time. Regarding GBV and
mental health problems and self-esteem, more number of WWDs and WWODs who experienced GBV
met the criteria for depression, anxiety, and PTSD and also lower self-esteem than their non-abused
counterparts. Result from MANOVA revealed that there was statistically significant difference in depression,
state-anxiety, and PTSD among WWD who experienced and did not experience GBV. In
addition, there was statistically significant difference between WWD and WWOD who experienced
GBV only for self-esteem mean scores but not for depression, state-anxiety, trait-anxiety and PTSD.
Finally, there was no statistically significant difference between women living with visual, hearing
and physical disability for the five dependent variables. Implications of the findings are explored
against prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of WWD and WWOD who have been physically,
sexually and psychologically abused.
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Education