The Effect of Sexual Violence on Class Performance among Female Students of Mizan-Tepi University, South West Ethiopia

Andualem Henok

Abstract

Background: While increasing females’ access to education is a global priority, there are numerous barriers that impede significant progress in achieving in schools. There are many factors which can affect class performances among students. Among the factors victimization of sexual violence may be considered as one and important influencing factor. Objective: This study was intended to assess the association between sexual violence and class performance among female students of Mizan-Tepi University. Methods: Cross-sectional, institution based study was done to determine the association between sexual violence and class performance among female students of Mizan-Tepi university. A total sample of 604 were selected by using simple random sampling technique from the sampling frame based on population proportional to sample size. To assess the association between sexual violence and class performance t-test was done. Data was cleaned, coded and entered in to EPI data version 3.1. After cleaning data, it was transported in to SPSS. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant association between harassment and attempted rape and class performance. But completed rape in life time, since joining university, and in current academic year was significantly and negatively associated with class performance. Conclusion: Class performance of female students in Mizan-Tepi University was significantly and negatively associated with experiencing of completed rape. Urgent attention is needed from concerned bodies including the university management.

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