Sexual Violence and its Associated Factors among Female High School Students in Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Sexual violence is a major concern of society as physical and mental harm endured by women is extremely destructive. However, little is known about sexual violence within the study area. Therefore, current study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of sexual violence among female high school students in Soddo town, Southern Ethiopia. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted using pretested, structured self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS and the presence of association was assessed using bivariate test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to control confounding effects and the strength of association was estimated in odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence of life time rape among female students was found to be 25.8%. The odds of experiencing life time rape was higher among students who had more than one sexual partner (AOR= 9.11; 5.52, 15.04). Substance abuse is significantly associated with life time rape that the chance of experiencing rape among students who were chewing chat was higher (AOR=6.09; 1.57, 23.69) than their counterparts. Conclusion: High level of rape among female high school students was found in Sodo town. Chewing chat and having more than one sexual partner had statistically significant association with life time rape. Keywords: Sexual violence, Wolaita, Ethiopia, Sodd