Abstract:
Background: Women with physical disabilities were highly affected by Sexual violence globally. Ethiopia is one of the countries tried to reduce sexual violence among women with physical disabilities using different strategies by developing six pillars, this includes protect the right of women, inclusive in health delivery service, ensuring education access, inclusive livelihoods, empowering social participation and inclusive humanitarian assistance and emergency. But, still sexual violence is remaining high due to many reasons. It’s the major public health problem in Ethiopia, So the aim of this study will fill the gaps by identifying the possible associated factors related to sexual violence particularly in the study area.
Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of sexual violence among women with physical disabilities in Bahir Dar city, 2022.
Methods: Community based cross sectional study design was conducted among 579 women with physical disabilities from May 20_June 10, 2022. The study participants were selected by using simple random sampling. The data were collected using structured questionnaire and were entered in to Epi Data software version 3.1 then the data were exported to SPSS Version 26 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to see the association between the independent and outcome variables. Those variables with p value < 0.2 were candidates for the multivariable analysis. Adjusted odd ratio was calculated to describe the strength of association and P<0.05 was taken as statically significant.
Result. The ever had prevalence of sexual violence among women with physical disabilities were 40.20%, 95%CI (36.4-44.1). The age above 44years [AOR=0.42,95%CI, (0.21-0.85, lived with father [AOR= 0.61,95% CI (0.20-0.74)] and being married [AOR=0.28,95% CI (0.13-0.63)] were identified statistically associated factors associate with sexual violence.
Conclusion: The prevalence of sexual violence among women with physical disabilities in Bahir Dar city was high compared to local studies. The age, marital status and living arrangement have association with sexual violence. Therefore, strong strategies and rules to support unmarried, youngest age and living arrangement of women with physical disabilities were better to be emphasized.
Key words: sexual violence, associated factors, physical disabilities, Bahir Dar city