Prevalence and Psychological Impact of Sexual Harassment against Female Medical Students and Residents at Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences
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Date
2021-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Gender based violence and sexual harassment remains asubstantial issue facing women and girls around the world. Professional women are not exempted, including women who join medical school.Study objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and types of gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual harassment and associated psychological distress in female medicalstudents and residents at Addis Ababa University, College of HealthSciences (AAU CHS).
Method: The study design was a cross-sectional survey. Study participantsinclude female clinical year medical students and residents at AAU CHS.The sampling technique that was employed was total population sampling with initial target sample size of 340, subsequently changed to 436 afterinclusion of first year residents and new clinical year-1 students. The Sexual Experience Questionnaire was used to measure gender-based violence and sexual harassment. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item version (PHQ-9). Traumatic stress symptoms were measured using the PC-PTSD scale and anxiety symptoms were measured using the GAD-2. Open-ended questions were used to ask about reporting the incidents, any help obtained, unmet needs and preferences for sources of help. The questionnaires were administered as an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive frequencies and negative binomial regression to look at the association between GBV/sexual harassment and depressivesymptoms, traumatic stress and anxiety symptoms.
Results: Even though the questionnaire included sensitive questions, theresponse rate appeared to be representative of the population. A total of368 women participated; 65.7% were clinical students and 32.5% wereresidents. Over one quarter (26.2%) self-identified as having been sexuallyharassed attheuniversity. Based on systematic screening with the SEQ,the prevalence of sexual harassment among female medical students andresidents was substantially higher (81.8%); with 77.2% experiencing genderharassment, 70.6% experiencing unwanted sexual attention and 36.6%experiencing sexual coercion. Of those who were sexually harassed, only3.2% reported the incident. After reporting, 99.3% did not receive anysupport frommedical school and 97.9% did not receive any help from otherinstitutions. From the women who had received help, 100% of themreported that it was inadequate.11.1% of the respondents indicated to have moderate depression while 4.1% of the participants indicated moderately severe and severe depression(each). 38 respondents (10.3%) responded ‘’yes’’ for 4 out of the 5questions on the PC-PTSD screening tool indicating possible PTSD. 14.1%of the respondents scored 3 points (the cutoff point) on the GAD-2indicating a possible anxiety disorder. Total sexual harassment score andsubscales were strongly associated with depression, traumatic stress and anxiety scores. The top three recommendations the women forwarded were to take appropriate actions against the perpetrators, to empowerwomen and increase awareness about the problem.
Conclusions: The study signifies the presence of high prevalence of sexualharassment within the institution. Despite the high figure, there seems tobe low perception of sexual harassment, under reporting and inadequateresponse. One apparent impact is on women’s mental health. Participatingwomen identified key actions that need to be taken so that harassment can be reduced and women who experience harassment can be better supported.
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Keywords
Sexual harassment ,Female Medical Students , Residents