Students' security perception : a case of School of Statistics and Planning at Makerere University

Abstract

Security concerns on university campuses significantly impact student well-being and academic performance. This study investigates the factors influencing students' perceptions of safety and their actual experiences of insecurity at the School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University. The general objective was to examine students' safety and security perspectives. Specific objectives included identifying common crimes, understanding defensive behaviors, assessing fear of crime, and exploring the relationship between victimization and demographic characteristics. A quantitative research design was utilized, with data collected from 100 respondents through structured questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis assessed the impact of variables such as age, gender, place of residence, and fear of crime on insecurity incidents (victimization risks). Results showed that Female students had significantly lower odds of being victims of insecurity compared to male students (OR=0.119; 95% CI: 0.028, 0.509; p=0.004). Students living in halls of residence faced a higher risk of victimization (OR=5.465; 95% CI: 1.183, 25.247; p=0.03). Students who were "very afraid" of becoming victims had significantly lower odds of actual victimization (OR=0.024; 95% CI: 0.002, 0.289; p=0.003). Age and fear of sexual assault did not show significant associations with victimization risk. The study underscores the need for targeted security measures in high-risk areas such as residence halls and highlights the importance of addressing gender-specific risks. Leveraging the protective effect of fear through awareness and preventive measures could enhance campus safety. Future research should explore gender-specific risk factors, evaluate the impact of different living arrangements on security, and investigate the effectiveness of security interventions.