Assessment of Sexual Behaviour, Exploitation and its Determinants Among Orphan and Vulnerable Childeren in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2014
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: The increased sexual risk and exploitation among orphans and vulnerable children
and its associated physical, psychological and social consequences is becoming a major public
health concern globally. The number of orphans has risen significantly in recent years in
Ethiopia. Understanding the magnitude of risky sexual behavior and exploring factors
underpinning this behavior are pivotal to address the needs of orphan and vulnerable children
(OVC) and mitigating the negative outcomes of the growing OVC population worldwide.
However, there is paucity of information in this regard in Ethiopia.
Objectives: To assess the sexual practices, exploitation and its determinant factors among OVC
in Addis Ababa city.
Methodology:
community based cross sectional study and phenomenological qualitative
methods was conducted from March to June 2014 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Quantitative data
was collected from OVC who were got community based care
from three organizations,
selected by systematic sampling using self administered questionnaire and phenomenological
qualitative methods use focus group discussion (FGD) and interview of street children. Logistic
regression and open code were used to analysis data.
Result : The study participants who were double orphans were about five times more at risky
sexual behavior than the respondents who were maternal orphan only P=0.005, COR (95% CI)
5.455(1.674,17.770).
The multivariate risk sexual behavior shows that, orphans, who were living with others (non-
relatives and far extended relatives) were about four times more at risky sexual behaviors than
those who live with their mothers [(P=0.033, AOR (95%CI) 3.849(1.116,13.272)].
Many street children were forced to have coercive sex with strangers and older street children.
Conclusion: About 50 (44.6%) of OVC started early sexual intercourse to get basic need and
followed by 39 (34.8%) of them start to facilitating social connection in their living environment.
About 96 (85.7%) of OVC did not use a condom regularly while they had sexual intercourse
with their partner.
Sexual relationship among street children is widespread among the street groups and with
outsiders, multiple partnerships is common.
Obviously, these findings suggest that orphan children were at high sexual risk behavior and
exploitation next to the death of their income earner through their lack of basic needs.
Key words: orphan and vulnerable children, street children, risky sexual behavior, sexual
exploitation, Addis Ababa.
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Keywords
Orphan and vulnerable children, Street children, Risky sexual behavior, Sexual exploitatio