The effect of domestic violence on child education in Kawempe division, Kampala district.

Abstract

This study examined the effect of domestic violence on child education in Kawempe Division, Kampala District. The study was guided by three specific objectives, namely to determine the prevalence of domestic violence among households in Kawempe Division, to examine the relationship between domestic violence and school attendance among children, and to identify the different forms of domestic violence experienced by children in the division. A cross-sectional research design and a quantitative approach were adopted, and data were collected from a sample of 150 respondents, determined using Yamane’s formula from an accessible population of 240 eligible households with school-going children. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests for bivariate associations, and multivariate logistic regression, with results presented as adjusted odds ratios, confidence intervals and p-values at a 5% level of significance. The study found that domestic violence was highly prevalent, with 73.51% of households reporting experiences of violence, most often occurring “sometimes” (34.43%) rather than as a rare event. Domestic violence had a strong and statistically significant negative effect on children’s schooling: 91.49% of children from violent homes recorded declined academic performance (AOR = 0.135, p = 0.001), all children who never completed homework came from violent homes, and all children who dropped out of school for family reasons had experienced domestic violence. Domestic violence was also strongly associated with school attendance, with 94.92% of children who frequently missed school having experienced violence (AOR = 4.553, p < 0.001), and it was the leading reported reason for absenteeism (85.71%), ahead of illness, lack of interest and lack of school fees. Emotional violence was the most commonly reported form of domestic violence (39.33%), while sexual abuse was the least reported (12.67%). The study concluded that domestic violence was a serious and direct threat to children’s attendance, learning and retention in school in Kawempe Division, with effects more severe than much of the existing literature had captured. It was recommended that local leaders, schools and child protection actors strengthen awareness campaigns on the schooling effects of domestic violence, that schools establish safer reporting systems and guidance support for learners who frequently miss school, that parents and caregivers receive counselling and conflict management support, and that education and welfare offices track absenteeism and dropout early to identify children at risk.