Sexual coercion and reproductive health outcomes among young females of Nekemte Town, South West Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to assess adverse outcomes and associated factors of sexual coercion among young females in Nekemte Town.

METHODS

A cross-sectional community based study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. A sample of 641 young females aged 10-24 years was taken from 3 sub-cities by systematic sampling procedure. Quantitative data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Six focus group discussions targeting different groups were held to capture qualitative data.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of sexual coercion was 101(15.8%). Compared to young females who did not report lifetime sexual coercion, victims of sexual coercion had significantly increased likelihood having more than one sexual partner during the last six months OR (95%CI): 3.4 (1.3, 8.7), unintended pregnancy OR (95%CI): 3.57 (1.5, 8.3) and more than one symptom of reproductive tract infections OR (95%CI): 2.4 (1.3, 8.7). In addition, victims of sexual coercion had significantly lower likelihood of using modern contraception OR (95%CI): 0.51 (0.2, 1.0), increased likelihood of reporting unintended pregnancy OR (95%CI): 3.4 (1.3, 8.9).

CONCLUSION

Sexual coercion is a public health problem among young females in the study community due to its consequences on the physical, psychological and social well being. It is recommended that emerging program interventions on Reproductive Health, sexuality, and HIV/AIDS by various stakeholders need to take this problem into consideration in order to address the full context of young females' lives. Interventions targeting the social and behavioral factors leading to these problems need to be instituted to curb the problem.