Access to Reproductive Health Services by Female Survivors of Sexual Gender-Based Violence in Selected Hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
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Date
2025-04
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Women and girls ages 15-49 years married are estimated to form 30% of the victims of Sexual Gender Based Violence. World Health Organization reports that women who have experienced SGBV are at a higher risk of gynecological morbidities, miscarriages, unsafe abortions, pregnancy complications, HIV, and unwanted pregnancies. This study therefore aimed to determine the access to reproductive health services by female survivors of sexual gender-based violence in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design with pretested questionnaires. The study involved female survivors of sexual gender-based violence. The sample size comprised 269 survivors and 10 key informants. A pretest of research tools was carried out at the Mathare sub-county hospital. Data analysis was done by use of thematic content and quantitative data presented by use of percentages and frequency distribution tables. For inferential quantitative analysis, a binary logistic regression was used to determine the availability of reproductive health services, knowledge, attitude, and type of reproductive health services predictors of access to reproductive health services by female survivors of sexual gender-based violence. Odds Ratios were evaluated for significance by considering the 95% Confidence Interval or at a p-value </=0.05 for the statistic generated. The results showed that access to reproductive health services by female survivors of sexual gender-based violence was relatively low at (26%). Majority had moderate knowledge of access to reproductive health services provided to survivors of sexual gender based violence (39%). The study found that 67.3%, of respondents did not have reproductive health services nearby, 54% found services not affordable, and 60.2% said transport services were unavailable. The majority 40.9% had moderate knowledge of post exposure prophylaxis and sexually transmitted infections prevention and treatment, and 46.4% knew about mental health and psychosocial support. A majority (33.5 %,) had moderate knowledge of emergency contraception. On post exposure prophylaxis for HIV, a majority (42.8%) of the respondents had low. On sexually transmitted infections prevention and treatment, majority (40.9%) had moderate knowledge. The majority had low knowledge of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (46. 4%).On Access to Legal Aid for Survivors, a majority had moderate knowledge (37. 2%).The study recommended that county government to ensure the implementation of the policy on national guidelines on the management of sexual violence to enhance the availability, affordability, and accessibility of reproductive health services to the survivors. There is a need for the involvement of community health volunteers to help in the identification of sexual violence cases and link to the right facilities to enhance quick management to prevent progression to worse conditions such as seroconversion from AIDS to HIV. The county government to ensure health facilities are equipped with both staff and commodities that will ensure comprehensive management of sexual gender based violence survivors.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Public Health (Epidemiology and Disease Control) in the School Of Health Sciences of Kenyatta University, April, 2025
Supervisors;
1.Harun M. Kimani
2.Judy Mugo