Predictors and psychological effects of sexual violence among female college students in Kisumu county, Kenya

Abstract

Sexual violence against women is a public health issue with major health consequences for women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sexual violence affects 35% of college women worldwide. They experience either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. The resulting effect of sexual violence is the psychological effects with prevalence of exposure to violence being higher among college going women aged between 18 and 24 years. This study therefore sought to identify the predictors and psychological effects of sexual violence among female college students in Kisumu County. The objectives of the study were to: determine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and sexual violence, establish the relationship between socio-cultural factors and sexual violence and examine the psychological effects of sexual violence on female college students in Kisumu County, Kenya. The study used the socio-ecological theory to explain the key predictors and psychological effects of sexual violence experienced by female college students while adopting a mixed method research design. The target population included 4 public universities and 4 public tertiary colleges with a population of 13, 326 female students. A total of 384 female students were sampled using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire, in-depth interview guide and focus group discussion guide. Reliability and validity tests were done, where validity was tested through a pilot study while reliability coefficient was done using Cronbach alpha 0.839 using test re-test method (rtt) and the internal consistency was good. Quantitative data was analysed using inferential statistics. Qualitative data was transcribed and analysed for emergent themes and subthemes. The study findings revealed that there was a moderate, positive and significant correlation between socio-demographic characteristics (age, r = .008, p = < .875; parental occupation r = -.065, p = < .208; place of residence r = . 107* , p = < .036; and, year of study r = -.084, p = < .101) and sexual violence among the female students. Socio cultural predictors were found to account for 22.3% of the variance R2=.22, F(3,377)=36.136, p<.01) in sexual violence with campus norms having the strongest unique contribution to sexual violence (β=.199, p=.000), followed by socio-cultural beliefs and actions (β=.176, p=.000) and finally, socio cultural peer culture (β=.171, p=.000).Campus norm had the strongest correlation (r=.370) with sexual violence, followed by socio-cultural peer culture (r=.365) and finally socio-cultural beliefs and actions (r=.357). The study findings also revealed that the most felt psychological effects of sexual violence among the girls were difficulty in sleeping and concentration, change in sex drive, feelings of anxiety, and increase in stress and fear levels and the least reported effect was varying emotions throughout. The study concluded that socio-demographic and sociocultural factors that surrounded the female students in Kisumu County were determining factors to their exposure to sexual violence; sexual violence had psychological effects on the victims. The study will be significant to the government and non-governmental organisations in developing and implementing programs aimed at reducing and eliminating prevalence and effects of sexual violence amongst college female students.