Sexual harassment in public transport among female students at the Federal university of technology Akure, Nigeria

Background: Every day females experience different types of sexual harassment while using public transportation worldwide. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of sexual harassment amongst female students who travel by public transportation at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Data was collected using electronic questionnaires and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 21. Frequencies and percentages were used for data summary. Association between variables was determined using Chi Square test. Statistical significance was a p-value < 0.05. Results: Ninety-three percent of female students in FUTA had experienced sexual harassment. Among those who had experienced sexual harassment, 98.4% were single, 81.5% lived off campus, 79.0% used public bus, 45.4% commuted daily, 84.7% was in an overcrowded vehicle and 52.9% was in the evening. There was a significant association between sexual harassment and marital status (p = 0.033), place of residence (p = 0.019), mode of public transportation (p = 0.014), time of travel (p = 0.018). Verbal sexual harassment was most prevalent (91.1%), followed by physical sexual harassment (87.6%) and non-verbal sexual harassment (82%). Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of sexual harassment among female university students in FUTA using public transportation, which occurs in a variety of scenarios, particularly in crowded vehicles during rush hour

Gender-based violence during COVID-19 lockdown: case study of a community in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) has been identified to be one of the ripple effects of the global pandemic. In countries like Nigeria, the situation is hypothesized to be worse because of widespread poverty and gender inequalities. Objective: To examine the exposure of females to GBV during the first 3 months of the COVID-19 lockdown. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a low-income community in Lagos. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 130 respondents selected via systematic random sampling. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 26.89 ± 8.67 years. Majority worked informal jobs, while only 50% had attained beyond primary education. Within the period, the respondents had been subjected to sexual (54.6%), physical (52.3%), verbal assault (41.5%), and online sexual harassment (45.4%); of which only 30% reported to the police. Furthermore, respondents subjected to sexual (p=0.004) and physical assault (p=0.032) during the period earned significantly less money than other respondents. Conclusion: The fact that over 1 out of every 2 females was subjected to at least one form of GBV within the short timeframe shows how unsafe girls and women in low-income communities are. This calls for proactive community-level interventions to curb the GBV menace.

Prevalence of sexual harassment and its relationship with family birth order among female undergraduates: New findings from institutional-based cross-sectional study in the south east, Nigeria

Family is the microcosm of a larger society that provides care that shapes the behavior of children. However, the different levels of attention children receive from their parents may affect their behaviour and self-esteem, which can lead to them being more vulnerable to sexual harassment. An institutional-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from March ­ August 2021, to assess the relationship between family birth order and prevalence of sexual harassment. The multistage sampling procedure was used to draw 1070 participants. The data was analyzed using percentages, mean, and multivariate logistic regression statistics. The multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. The findings revealed prevalence (73.6%) of sexual harassment, and the two forms such as verbal (x= 2.63) and non-verbal sexual harassment (x= 2.56) were high. The multivariate logistic regression odds ratios adjusted shows that the middle born were approximately 2 folds (AOR = 1.62; CI = 1.14 ­ 2.30; P = 0.008 0.05) more likely to predict sexual harassment. The study recommended amongst others that parents in South Eastern Nigeria should refrain from given special attention to a particular child as this may predispose the unfavoured child to sexual harassment

Knowledge, attitude, practices and associated factors of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Ora Community, Edo State

Background: Adolescents constitute a significant proportion of the vulnerable group in the society and often engage in risky sexual behaviours which predispose to HIV/AIDS. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude,preventive practices of HIV/AIDS and its associated factors amongadolescentsin Ora community, Edo State.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among440 secondary school students selected by stratified sampling technique. Data was obtained with pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires.Results:Two hundred and forty-two(242; 55.0%) of the respondents were aged 10 ­14 years.Two hundred and seventy-one 271 (61.6%) ofthe respondentshad good knowledge of HIV/AIDS, while 291 (59.3%) had a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS. Age15 ­19 years(p=0.001) malesex(p =0.049) and respondents in SS2 class (p=0.005) were significantly associated with knowledge.A negative attitude was recorded among139 (51.3%) students who had good knowledge. The relationship between knowledgeand attitude towards HIV/AIDS was statistically significant(p=0.01). Twenty-five(73.5%) of the sexually active respondents had poor preventive practiceregardingHIV/AIDS.Conclusion: More than half of the students had good knowledge and positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS while a majority of themwho were sexually active had poor preventive practices. Respondents aged 15­19 years, malesand in SS2class significantly had goodknowledgeof HIV/AIDS. Health education intervention programstargeted on the prevention of HIV/AIDS should be designed for Secondary School Students

Sexual harassment in South African schools: Is there an association with risky sexual behaviours?

Background. Several drivers of risky sexual behaviour are known, although research has not yet examined the relationship between experiences of sexual harassment at school and risky sexual behaviours among adolescents. Objective. To examine the association between peer- and teacher-perpetrated sexual harassment and risky sexual behaviours among adolescents in South Africa. Methods. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression models were fitted to data from 219 456 school-going adolescents (aged 10 - 19 years) who participated in the fourth South African National HIV, Behaviour and Health Survey (2011/2012). The outcomes were lack of condom use during last sexual activity and multiple sexual partnerships. Results. Of the respondents who had experienced sexual harassment by peers, 27.27% did not use a condom during their last sexual activity and 41.67% reported having had multiple sexual partnerships. Of the respondents who had experienced sexual harassment by a teacher, 5.56% reported to have had multiple sexual partnerships in the study period. Results show that respondents who had experienced peer-perpetrated sexual harassment were more likely to not have used a condom during their last sexual activity (odds ratio (OR) 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04 - 1.11), as were those who had experienced teacher-perpetrated sexual harassment (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.32 - 1.43). Conclusion. A substantial number of school-going adolescents were found to have experienced sexual harassment and engaged in risky sexual behaviours. Sexual harassment at school should be considered as part of programmes aimed at addressing risky sexual behaviours among adolescents

HIV Prevention among Female Sex Workers in Africa

Sex work occurs to meet the demand for sexual services and is a universal phenomenon. In Africa sex work takes many forms and is an important source of income for many women. Yet sex worker reproductive health needs remain largely unmet. The criminalisation of sex work; community and service provider stigma; violence; substance use and limited access to health services and prevention commodities contribute to the high HIV burden evident among female sex workers in Africa. Following UNAIDS' three pillar approach to HIV prevention and sex work we present an overview of current opportunities; barriers and suggestions to improve HIV prevention policy and programming for sex work in Africa. Universal access to a comprehensive package of HIV services is the first pillar. Reproductive health commodities; voluntary and anonymous HIV counselling and esting; treatment of sexually transmitted infections; HIV and opportunistic infections; harm reduction for substance use and psychosocial support services make up the recommended package of services. The second pillar is a sex worker-supportive environment. The inclusion of sex worker programmes within national HIV strategic planning; sex worker-led community mobilisation and the establishment of sex work community networks (comprised of sex workers; health service providers; law enforcers and other stakeholders) enable effective programme implementation and are recommended. The reduction of sex worker vulnerability and addressing structural issues form the final pillar. The decriminalisation of sex work; development of supportive policy; gender equality and economic development are key factors that need to be addressed to increase sex worker resilience. Evidence supports the public health benefit of human rights based approaches to HIV prevention; moralistic and restrictive policy and laws towards sex work are harmful and should be removed. The establishment of these pillars will increase sex worker safety and enhance the inclusiveness of the HIV response

Profil des femmes victimes des violences sexuelles dans la province du Sud-Kivu en Republique Democratique du Congo

Dans cette etude retrospective les auteurs ont analyse les registres du centre de sante Olame et de l'hopital provincial general de reference de Bukavu (HPGRB) qui contenaient les informations de 176 cas de victimes d'agression sexuelle.L'age des patientes a varie entre 10 - 60 ans; la majorite des victimes avaient l'age de 15 - 19 ans. La plupart de ces patientes etaient venues de Nindja; de Kanyola et de Kalehe. Elles etaient multipares et mariees dans 11 et 42 respectivement. Dans la majorite des cas; les actes d'agression sexuelle etaient commis a domicile et la nuit; en presence des autres membres de la famille terrorises.Le taux du VIH au premier check up a ete de 1;7; cependant; les autres IST avaient atteint un taux de 60;7. Certaines recommandations ont ete faites pour retablir les victimes dans leurs droits et dignite humaine

Experience of Non-Consensual Sex among Students in a Tertiary Institution in Ibadan; Nigeria

Non-consensual sex (NCS) is a major problem that disproportionately affects young persons. Studies on NCS in Nigeria have focused on secondary schools students with limited attention paid to students in tertiary institutions. This study therefore explored experiences of NCS among students of a polytechnic in Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of 594 randomly selected students completed - questionnaires which explored experience of NCS and help-seeking behaviour.The mean age of the respondents was 22.7 ± 2.9 years and 58.9% were females. Fifty-six percent of respondents had experienced sexual intercourse; of this number 9.0% reported that their first sexual intercourse was due to rape. Forty-seven percent of the entire sample had ever experienced at least a form of NCS out of which 70.5% were affected during the six months preceding the study. Forms of NCS experienced included unwanted touch of breast or back side (26.4%), attempted rape (14.0%) and rape (5.7%). Rape victims consisted of 5.3% of males and 6.0% of females. Predictors of the experience of NCS were alcohol consumption (Odd Ratio [OR] =1.7, CI =1.17­ 2.52), being a female (OR =1.9, CI =1.34 ­ 2.72) and having a friend of the opposite sex (OR =2.4, CI =1.04­5.52, p =0.04). Well known friends of the victims were the major perpetrators of all forms of NCS. Most (86.6%) of those who reported experience of NCS did not seek redress or medical care. Non-consensual sex remains a major problem among students of tertiary institution. This underscores the need to develop intervention programmes such as health education and sexual harassment prevention policy to reduce young people's vulnerability to NCS in tertiary institutions

Experiences of sexual relationships of young black women in an atmosphere of coercion

Negotiations surrounding sexual activity are characterised by multiple power disparities that include race; social status and age; with gender being the most dominant differential in heterosexual interactions. Research has shown that women are physiologically more at risk of contracting HIV than men; as indicated by the higher infection rates of the former. Many African societies operate via a hegemonic masculinity; with patriarchal governance and female subordination being the norm; placing women at even greater risk of HIV infection. In this qualitative phenomenological study; four black school-going adolescent women living in Grahamstown were interviewed using a semi-structured interview to gather data. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted on the data to provide subjective insights of the experiences of the participants with regard to their interactions with men. From the findings; it became apparent that the participants felt pressured; coerced or manipulated by male counterparts. This pressure and coercion was not just felt in their interactions with older men; but also in their romantic partnerships. Three of the participants experienced pressure to engage in sexual intercourse with their boyfriends when they were unwilling or unready; and they reported being faced with additional pressure to engage in unprotected sex. Furthermore; it became apparent that each participant had an underlying fear of being raped and considered this as a genuine threat to her safety and sexual health. The atmosphere within which these participants negotiate their sexual agency is thus heavily informed by male control; coercion and the threat of violence or rape

University Students' Perspective of Sexual Harassment: a Case Study of the University of Zambia

Objectives: To determine if sexual harassment was a problem at the University of Zambia (UNZA); to explore UNZA student's perception on the nature of sexual harassment; and determine student's knowledge and understanding about sexual harassment. Design: A cross-sectional study across UNZA. Main outcomes: Occurrence of sexual harassment at UNZA; knowledge; perception and understanding of sexual harassment. Measure: A self-administered questionnaire was developed for the purpose of the study and piloted. The questionnaire included items on perceptions and understanding of sexual harassment; the nature of the environment at UNZA; frequency of the occurrence of sexual harassment; direct experiences and observations of sexual harassment; and formal and informal reporting of sexual harassment. Results: This study found that sexual harassment was a problem at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and female students were more likely to be affected. There was no gender difference on the knowledge about sexual harassment (p=0.27) but there was a significant gender difference in the perception of sexual harassment occurring at UNZA (?2 = 86.51; df= 1; p0.001); there were significantly more female students who perceived a lot of sexual harassment to be occurring at UNZA. More female students also perceived that students were likely to harass other students (p0.01) and students were likely to harass lecturers (p0.001). Conclusion: The problem of sexual harassment at UNZA should not be underestimated; among our recommendation is to formulate a policy on sexual harassment at UNZA

Factors influencing sexual Harassment among police and secretarial women in Kampala : Implications for HIV transmission and psychotherapy

The aims of this research were to establish the incidence of sexual harassment among police women and secretaries; to assess the personal factors associated with sexual harassment; to assess the emotional reaction associated with sexual harasssment. A questionnaire was administered to 42 secretaries and 106 policewomen picked at random from Kampala City. Data obtained was analysed using chi-square test. Results indicated that secretaries and policewomen did not significantly vary on other forms of sexual harassment except sexual assault. Personal variables did not influence sexual harassment except educational and physical attractiveness. A smaller percentage reported negative emotions associated with sexual harassment and similarly a smaller percentage reported risk of contracting HIV from sexual harassment. However; the majority of the participants reported that sexual harassment at work places had decreased in face of the AIDS pandemic. The need to develop an appropriate definition for sexual harassment in Uganda; and the need to develop a reporting system were highlighted. Development of a structure to handle and treat cases of sexual harassment; development of social skills; senstitisation; and self defence programmes for the women were also recommended. Treatment of offenders and victims would include psychotherapy. The continuation and strengthening of AIDS programmes tht had began was also recommended