Sexual abuse among boys in Public primary schools in Mukuru kwa Njenga slum, Nairobi County-Kenya
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Date
2016-10
Authors
Odoro, Atieno Rachael
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Sexual abuse among children has long history in Kenyan schools. Recent evidence
however points out on underreported cases of boy child sexual abuse; rise in incidence of
reported crimes of sexual nature and sporadic occurrence of such inhumane treatment of
children outside and within learning institutions attest to threatened sexual safety and
future reproductive health of children. The study aimed at assessing prevalence and risk
factors of sexual abuse among boy child in public primary schools in Mukuru Kwa
Njenga slum, in Nairobi County. Specific objectives of the study included: to assess
awareness level of sexual abuse, to determine prevalence of sexual abuse, to identify risk
factors of sexual abuse among boy child, and finally to establish who the perpetrators of
sexual abuse among boy child are. The study adopted cross sectional descriptive
approach. The study population was sexually abused and non-sexually abused boys aged
amid10-18, with a sample size of 300 and key informants. Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum was
randomly selected among the three major slums in Nairobi. All the four major public
primary schools were selected into the study purposively and some boys in the respective
schools were sampled using simple random sampling technique. The schools and the
boys were assigned random numbers. However, a few cases in the slum were used
proportionately and through key informant interviews and focused group discussions
until sample size was achieved. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods
were used to enhance realization of strangulation effect. Focused Group Discussion
guides, Key Informant Interview guides and Questionnaires with Closed and open ended
questions were used. As such, necessary ethical considerations such as permission from
research authorities, teachers as child custodians and key informants in the study were
observed. However, following the sensitivity of the topic consent, assent and
confidentiality were strictly observed. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 17.
The results were as follows: prevalence of sexual violence among boys in the study is
75.3% with a chi-square p< .001, mean age of the pupils is 12.31 (+ .16), 68% had low
awareness level on sexual abuse, pupils living with single parents were 5.163 times at
risk of sexual abuse while those sharing a room with mother were less likely to
experience sexual abuse (0.082 times) as compared to those sharing room with sisters.
Majority of boy child sexual abuse perpetrators are strangers (58.2%) and peers (27.6%)
and the crime occurs mainly in the neighborhood in the absence of parents. In conclusion
sexual abuse prevalence in the study area is high, children are at risk, there are low
awareness levels, and perpetrators are varied as shown above. Recommendations: child
protection agencies to come up with strategies to save the boy child from this inhumane
act. Studies of same kind in other slum areas and among children generally should be
carried out.
Description
This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for award of degree of Masters in School of Public Health of Kenyatta University, October, 2016. Call Number HV 6570.4 .K4O3
Keywords
Sexually abused boys, Primary school students, Child abuse, Child sexual abuse