Factors associated with sexual harassment among young women of age 15-24 years in Uganda: case study of central region
Abstract
This research project aimed at assessing the factors associated with sexual harassment among the young women of age 15-24 years in Uganda specifically the central region. It investigated how behavioral and social-economical determinants are associated with sexual harassment and these included employment status, wealth index, religion, place of residence, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and education level.
The study used secondary data majorly the UDHS OF 2016. Variables were both independent n dependent variables. The independent variables included employment status, religion place of residence, wealth index, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and education level with the dependent variable sexual harassment. The major source of data for this study was UDHS of 2016. Other related information was got from reports, journals, articles, websites, books, newspapers, UBOS, among others.
Methods. The study used data from UDHS of 2016 to investigate the factors for increased sexual harassment among women of age 15-24 years. A total of 801 women aged 15-24 was the sample in the survey. Women of age 15-24 who were either permanent residents of the households or visitors who slept in the households in the night of the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed. Results were obtained by examining the relationship between sexual harassment and independent variables using confidence intervals and odd ratios.
Findings. The study found that sexual harassment was common among rural, poor families, those whose partners take alcohol, and those who didn’t attend school because their p values were less than the given significant level of p<=0.05. Conclusions. There is a need to promote gender equality and equity among women. Counseling and reporting centers should be put in place to help young women report sexual violence cases. There is need for intensive and extensive research on the causes, effects and consequences of sexual harassment on the harassed.