Sexual Abuse Among Adolescents in Public Junior High Schools Within Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Background: Sexual abuse is a major public health, human rights, and developmental issue that needs urgent attention, especially among adolescents and young people globally. Among adolescents, sexual abuse has tremendous direct and indirect consequences on the physical, psychological, and psychosocial health of the victims. Yet, little or no study has been conducted to explore sexual abuse among in-school adolescents in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. The present study sought to examine sexual abuse and its associated factors among in-school adolescents in public junior high schools (JHS) in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Methods: The study utilised an institution-based cross-sectional design to examine sexual abuse among in-school adolescents in public JHS. The study was conducted in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. A total sample of 400 adolescents in public JHS were recruited using a multistage sampling technique. Pretested semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the adolescents. Frequencies and percentages were used to summarise the results of the categorical variables. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors associated with sexual abuse among in-school adolescents. The results of the logistic regression analysis were presented using crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with their respective 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistical significance was set at p sexual abuse compared to Akan females [AOR=3.92, CI: 1.09, 14.12]. Females who had ever drunk alcohol had lower odds of experiencing sexual abuse than those who had never drunk alcohol [AOR=0.01, 95%CI: 0.00, 0.008]. Females who had adequate knowledge about sexual abuse had higher odds of experiencing sexual abuse than those who did not know [AOR=8.31, 95%CI: 1.41, 0.019]. Males who lived in self-contained apartments were more likely to experience sexual abuse compared to those in a singled room apartment [AOR=3.14, CI: 1.44, 6.80]. Conclusion: The study has shown that sexual abuse is prevalent among in-school adolescents in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Majority of the in-school adolescents were knowledgeable about sexual abuse. The age of the adolescent, ethnic group, living arrangement, ever engaged in sexual intercourse, consumption of alcohol, and knowledge about sexual abuse were associated with sexual abuse. Age-appropriate comprehensive sexual education should be implemented in every basic school. Also, the Ghana Education Service together with the Family Health Unit at the Ghana Health Service should develop reproductive health curricula for basic schools.